Perhaps my favorite Paine quote was when he said, "When my country, into which I had just set foot, was on fire about my ears, it was time to stir. It was time for every man to stir." That I suppose is as clear a definition of one man's sense of patriotism as I have ever read. Given the fires that are beginning perhaps it is time for all our readers to stir and restore American democracy to the vision of our founders.