An earlier version of this commentary first appeared in The Daily Caller....

We know democracy’s slogan: “Elections matter.” Or if that doesn’t work, draw on so many other oft-repeated phrases that make up the melodies in our politics....

On December 31, 2011, President Barack Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2012....

When Columbus got lost in America, he found healthy, thriving native peoples. Within 100 years, the civilizations he first met were decimated. In North America, north of Mexico, the pre-Columbian population has been estimated at 18 million people....