Walter Williams

In the following viewpoint, Walter Williams asserts that most militia members are patriotic Americans who are increasingly fearful of and angry about the U.S. government’s attempts to violate their constitutional rights. These citizens have little legal recourse, he maintains, other than joining organizations such as private militias where they can prepare and train to resist government intrusions. Williams, a syndicated columnist, is chairman of the department of economics at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. The Arizona Viper militia had conducted training exercises against which government groups, as cited by Williams?
2. How does Williams characterize government workers, such as those at the IRS?
3. Which government agencies have had a hand in making a mockery of Americans’ constitutional guarantees, according to the author...