"partners"

Another hint that the frontier has involuted: that at any time some stranger on virtual horseback might presumptuously stop by just for water or maybe conversely prove to be a cattle-thief and take a slice of your "property."

So, what does it mean, this word I keep hearing? Somebody wants to be my partner? Is it really for the sake of community? Or is there an ulterior motive? These are the thoughts that come to mind when "community" is given as the goal. We already have a community. What's needed is details: talk about standard of living, jobs, distribution of wealth, justice... We already know we're partners, agreeable or not; what we don't want to be is "partners in crime."