Alexis Tocqueville begins his tome on American culture, “Democracy in America,” by describing the powers that rose up after the Magna Carta was established to bring equality to the common man. Laws, the clergy and commerce all helped counteract the raw power of the aristocracy. However, it appears a new power is on the rise that only serves corporations and big, statist agendas – insurance companies. Farmers Insurance Group sued 200 municipalities because they didn’t prepare adequately for the floods and weather that will supposedly come because of climate change. Trent Frager, spokesman for Farmers, issued a statement that read, “We hoped that by filing this lawsuit we would encourage cities and counties to take preventative steps to reduce the risk of harm in the future.” The company later dropped the lawsuit, but it sets a precedent. There’s a new power on the block, and it’s not friendly toward Liberty and home rule. Conform, or be sued. More…