"But I think one contributor to this dire predicament is obvious: the size and scope of government."

What a bunch of rubbish.  There are many countries with more extensive governments that don't have a tiny fraction of the political or other kinds of violence that we do.  Or look at a country like Somalia which effectively has no government.  By his logic they'd be the safest place on earth.   

But way to rise above petty partisan finger-pointing on this matter, Rich...oh, right, you didn't.  Well, at least you managed to pimp your "blame liberals and the government for all of our problems" book.