It is perhaps not surprising that Americans so virulently hate taxes: as their sense of political participation has withered, they feel that their forefathers' complaint against taxation without representation is relevant once more.

ECONOMIST: American democracy: Building the perfect citizen | The

They simply were not accepted by the faithful and withered away over time.

NPR: Religious Groups Respond to 'Da Vinci' Movie Release

They have so far caught or killed twenty-two, and some cartels seem to have withered after losing their leaders.

NEWYORKER: The Kingpins