So, yes, there are reasons to be suspicious of government, and yes, our yearning to be “masterless” has created a culture that sends adventurers on the open road and pioneers looking for the next frontier. But it’s also making it increasingly difficult for government to function.

I’m not unsympathetic to the argument that vigilance — protest, activism, anger — is the price of freedom. But with the national government in gridlock, I’m beginning to worry that our “don’t tread on me” birthright has a deeper and darker cost.

Have you considered that Americans have always been like this — you admit it in your column, Mr. Rodriguez.

Maybe the problem is that Americans just don’t want the agenda government is pushing right now, and maybe the leader of this government activism is a guy with no real experience despite two autobiographies, no skills anyone would pay him for in the real world, and who isn’t really half as smart as your side tells itself. Ever consider that, chief?

I mean, you weren’t complaining about this before January 2009, were you?