An emailer:

Schulz and Derbyshire are absolutely right on target.
About the only thing I liked from the movie “American President” is a line
Michael Douglas’ character uses when the (caricature) opposition starts
attacking him.
“We don’t respond. They are trying to get us to swing at a pitch in the
dirt.”
This issue is the same – most “regular Americans” don’t want to talk about
it, don’t want to think about it, and resent the fact that is keeps getting
thrown in their face.
The problem with benign neglect is, so the activist line goes, without
vigilent opposition, states like Vermont and Massachusetts will drive the
public agenda. Without vocal opposition, the 3% becomes a way of life for
us all.