No one would blame you for feeling a little bit cynical these days, especially with all the bad news continuously filling your email. But sometimes bad news turns into good news if you skip ahead a little bit. In fact, there are very good reasons to cheer up.

First, you now know you aren’t alone. Remember when you would hear about some crazy thing going on in Congress, or with the President, or with some leftist attack on some institution and think there was something wrong there? Now you know there is, and that about eighty freaking percent of America agrees with you.

Also, remember how you would get all down with reports or anecdotes that Americans are falling behind, or that we are totally ignorant of history or politics or even how our government works? Well, now you know that these are dwindling, and that more Americans are “aware” like never before, thanks to the Internet and non-mainstream sources. People not only know that alternatives exist, they are using them in record numbers. In fact, more people are getting accurate news off the internet than are watching television, reading newspapers, or following news publications.

And how you used to wring your hands that kids in school were less functional economically, and learning nothing but crap? But in recent years, we know now that the unions are behind all this, that their influence is severely weakening, and that most teachers are working toward actually teaching kids again. That’s good news, right?

Or what about this goofball president? The guy is totally under the microscope. He can’t even meet with a former terrorist, or cut short a crisis to take a vacation, or even fiddle while Rome burns without you hearing about it. Admit it: would you rather not know about this? Of course, you want to hear all about it. Know why? Because 80% of America still cares, just like you.

Remember how you used to think that the US military wasn’t getting the respect it deserves from the public? That today’s kids just don’t appreciate soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen? Now look at how the military is treated today: with parades, fundraisers, gold ribbons, and care packages. It may be that the military is more popular with the general public today than ever before—going back to probably World War II. Heck, they barely promote this stuff anymore: not because they stopped caring, but because there is no need. The whole thing has taken on a life of its own.

Oh gosh, you think. Another Hollywood celebrity has said something stupid, or attacked someone working for the greater good, or has advocated something outrageously communist. But now, people are ridiculing them, and you realize that deep down, nobody takes these morons seriously anymore.

Likewise, you hear all these Glenn Beck stories about secret conspiracies to take down the government, wreck the economy, and eliminate your freedoms. Sounds bad, but you now realize these people are getting caught. Have you noticed that for all their vaunted supremacy, these morons never seem to notice the clean-shaven, well-dressed guy with recording equipment sitting up front?

But Czar, you say, the media isn’t doing anything about them! So what, we answer. The people know, thanks to these new alternative news sources. And the public responds in all sorts of positive ways. Think about this: do you remember hearing all these crazy stories in 1990? How about 1998? Or 2002? Or even 2006? In the last five years, there has been an explosion of news sources that expose these horrors, and the public finds ways to take it all down. We have proven that we do not need mainstream news at all.

But Czar, you add, the Obama administration will do nothing about this; they are in on probably half of it! The Czar shrugs. Then pay attention: the states are fighting back, exactly as they are supposed to. Attorneys general are filing law suits, judges are blocking actions, and the public are mobilizing into action campagins. Even private corporations are finding subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) ways to protect themselves. We can do this ourselves.

Folks say that the America succeeds despite its best efforts. Nonsense: there is a whole lot of America left, and as we predicted in May, 2009, that old-fashioned sense of do-it-right is clearly manifesting itself again. It was not dead; it was merely sleeping.

So cheer up! Our best days are always still ahead.

The Czar of Muscovy

Божію Поспѣшествующею Милостію Мы, Дима Грозный Императоръ и Самодержецъ Всероссiйскiй, цѣсарь Московскiй. The Czar was born in the steppes of Russia in 1267, and was cheated out of total control of all Russia upon the death of Boris Mikhailovich, who replaced Alexander Yaroslav Nevsky in 1263. However, in 1283, our Czar was passed over due to a clerical error and the rule of all Russia went to his second cousin Daniil (Даниил Александрович), whom Czar still resents. As a half-hearted apology, the Czar was awarded control over Muscovy, inconveniently located 5,000 miles away just outside Chicago. He now spends his time seething about this and writing about other stuff that bothers him.