Expecting anyone in the service of the federal government to actively constrain the excesses of the federal government is like expecting an unruly, incorrigible brat to do his homework, eat his vegetables and go to bed on time, while his parents leave him home alone for the weekend. Contrary to the grandiose delusions of Great Father Obama, the children in Washington DC are the unruly brats, and we the people have been neglectful parents. It is time to reimpose discipline on our federal dependents, while we still have a chance to do it firmly but gently.