We talk all the time -- and rightly so -- about how our soldiers put their lives on the line for us. However, according to the data presented in Jim Rutz' latest column, those alive in the 20th century were over six times more likely to be killed by their own government (212 million deaths) than to be killed in combat (34 million deaths). Mao Tse Tung himself was responsible for twice as many deaths as all the soldiers killed in combat in all the 20th century wars combined. So, you are less likely to be killed as a combat soldier than as a regular citizen.

In the 20th century, 212 million people were killed by their own governments. Sorta makes you want to hold on to your guns, doesn't it?