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Old 03-31-2006, 06:57 PM   #1
Cassius
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Default What would the founding fathers say about today's government?

This is an obvious subject that many people consider from time to time. It has been widely stated, by others and myself, that they would not approve of many things. However, the extent to which they would disapprove with what our government has become has escaped me until recently. I found the following quotes from many of the great men that lived at that time, and was astounded to how relevant the warnings they gave were to modern issues. Would anyone care to comment on how applicable these quotes are, why we have abandoned some of the values that our country began with, and what, if anything, we can do about it (other than write our congresspersons)?

I found these quotes to be simultaneously illuminating and disconcerting:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Paper No.23, on the four principal reasons for the formation of a federal government
(1) The common defense (national security); (2) the preservation of public peace, as well against internal convulsions as external attacks; (3) the regulation of commerce with other nations and between states; (4) the superintendence of our intercourse, political and commercial, with foreign countries (foreign affairs)."
Quote:
Originally Posted by James Madison, Federalist Paper No. 25
The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation and foreign commerce. ... The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives and liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement and prosperity of the State.
These last two quotes seem to clearly indicate that the founding fathers had no intention of the federal government being involved in social issues concerning citizens, including social security, medicare, medicaid, welfare, education, income redistribution, entitlements, unemployment insurance, farm subsidies, housing, flood insurance, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas Jefferson to William Plumer, 1816
I place economy among the first and most important of republic virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared.
Amazing clairvoyance, eh? I thought the economy would almost have been overlooked by the founding fathers, but apparently not...
Quote:
Originally Posted by James Madison - 1788
Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.
This we all know, but it is good to have a reminder once in a while.
Quote:
Originally Posted by James Madison
Democracy was the right of the people to choose their own tyrants.
Remember, our country was founded as a constitutional republic, not a democracy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Quincy Adams; Address, 4 July 1821
America... well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extraction, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom. The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force... She might become dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit.
World police, anyone? Regime change, anyone?
Quote:
Originally Posted by George Washington, Farewell Address, 17 Sept. 1796
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all... The Nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest ... Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world.
More warning against foreign entanglements...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexander Tyler
A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasure. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most money from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's great civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith, from spiritual faith to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependency, from dependency back to bondage.
This one was particularly striking to me. Isn't that what our government has become? They have learned that, through debt, they can spend as much as they want. This attitude about economic matters has trickled down to the familial level, so that household debt is rapidly becoming as bad as government debt.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas Jefferson
On every question of construction (of The Constitution), let us carry ourselves back to the time when The Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed.
Never heard of this one before, but now I know why everyone considers the founding fathers' opinion so important!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas Jefferson 1825 to W. Giles
Aided by a little sophistry on the words 'general welfare', (they claim) a right to do not only the acts to effect that which are specifically enumerated and permitted, but whatsoever they shall think or pretend will be for the general welfare.
Hmmm....
Quote:
Originally Posted by George Washington to James Madison 1789
No generation has a right to contract debts greater than can be paid off during the course of its own existence.
Wow, if only Washington was still alive to give a talking-to to our modern-day politicians...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas Jefferson
If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them, will deprive the people of their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.
I've spoken before of how our the gap between the haves and have-nots in our society is widening, and widening at an ever-quicker pace. I don't think it will be many decades since before we only have two classes left, those who are financially free and those who are permanently bonded into the servitude of being financial slaves their entire lives. There is no "middle class" anymore, or at least there won't be for much longer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas Jefferson
An informed citizenry is the only true repository of the public will.
Isn't that the truth. Not just on economic matters, but on all matters political. Keeping the wool on the eyes of the American sheeple (*cough* sorry, I mean American public) seems to be one of the highest priorities of politicians today.

I'll conclude with a graph, the meaning of which I will let you interpret for yourselves:

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Old 03-31-2006, 07:58 PM   #2
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I think they would say "we had a revolution way before it ever got to this point".
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Old 04-01-2006, 03:00 AM   #3
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LOL Plains!!! I agree.
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Old 04-02-2006, 12:11 AM   #4
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Very informative post!

In regards to the part about "private banks", most Americans would be surprised to learn the Federal Reserve (FED) is actually a private owned corporation ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve

(an excerpt from the above regarding the FED being a private corporation)

Quote:
In Lewis v. United States, 680 F.2d 1239 (9th Cir. 1982), the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit stated that the "Federal reserve banks are not federal instrumentalities for purposes of a Federal Torts Claims Act, but are independent, privately owned and locally controlled corporations."
A revolution is unlikely anytime soon ... what is more likely, is an even more controlled, restricted society...

One or two more major attacks like 911, and one can count on immediate martial law and all that comes with it ... ie. extreme curtailing of civil rights, no federal elections, etc for an extended, indefinitely period...

It's no accident there's a push on immigration lately ... yes, it's being used as a political "wedge" issue for sure, but it goes deeper than that ... the ultimate goal is track everyone in the U.S. so as to monitor and restrict their movements - ie. the Real ID act that recently became law...

Anyone who drives a lot in southern states near the Mexican border (and some folks on the northern border too) are likely very familiar with "internal checkpoints" ... in addition travel from some states to others is also restricted - ie. "agricultural" checkpoints on some parts of the California border ... umm, what's the real purpose of those? ... not to keep bad fruit, etc out, but rather a pretext to monitor those who come in; search their vehicles, etc...

Digressed a bit there ... let's look at this way ... what's changed between 1960 and today:

* 1960: No internal checkpoints (from what I recall, they didn't come into being till the 1970s)

* 1960: A driver license ID was rarely asked for other than when one was pulled over for a traffic stop; ID checks for anything else, such as going into bars was far less common.

* 1960: Social security number was rarely asked for; it had little meaning anyways, so even if one's number was "stolen" it was inconsequential anyways; many people back then, unless they worked, didn't have a social security number ... heck, me (and I'm only 34 now) didn't get my social security number until I was 16 ... contrast that to today where children are assigned a social security number practically from birth.

* 1960: No metal detectors at the airport, no bag searches, etc. Further, most airlines of the time had very few baggage restrictions - people could bring on board most anything.

* 1960: No id required to fly; exchanging tickets with others was ok, etc - and that was true as late as the 1980s; some have told me that was even true into the 90s ... wow, how things have changed so fast.

I could go on and on...

And then of course there's the drug war, and all the other things the government does that go against the Constitution and basic natural human rights ... and yet the vast majority of Americans don't appear at all motivated to protest let alone do anything, even if things get worse; as long as they have cable tv, internet, etc they're happy ... so anyone counting on a revolution happening will be waiting a long time, as in the next lifetime ...

On the otherhand, perhaps Americans will soon rise up ... time will tell.

Ron
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Old 04-02-2006, 01:13 AM   #5
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Great post, Cass I always wonder what it would be like if the founding fathers could talk to us today, would be argue with them, or just dismiss their ramblings?
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Old 04-02-2006, 05:39 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Bennett
* 1960: Social security number was rarely asked for; it had little meaning anyways, so even if one's number was "stolen" it was inconsequential anyways; many people back then, unless they worked, didn't have a social security number ... heck, me (and I'm only 34 now) didn't get my social security number until I was 16 ... contrast that to today where children are assigned a social security number practically from birth.
Maybe I'm mistaken but everyone is assigned a number at birth. Your "getting" your number is just you being informed what number you were given at birth. Also it's common for children to wait until there teens to inquire about their number when they want to get a job.
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Old 04-02-2006, 05:45 AM   #7
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"Think of your forefathers! Think of your posterity!" John Quincy Adams
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Old 04-02-2006, 05:50 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrIMStoned
Maybe I'm mistaken but everyone is assigned a number at birth. Your "getting" your number is just you being informed what number you were given at birth. Also it's common for children to wait until there teens to inquire about their number when they want to get a job.
Your parents register you with Social Security shortly after your are born. They then use that number to file their taxes naming you as a dependent. You are not automatically assigned a number. Since your parents have been using that number since you were a dependent, you would only need to ask your parents for your card and/or number when you begin working.

At least, that is how I think it works. I haven't had a child born for a quarter of a century, so it's been awhile for me.
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Old 04-02-2006, 08:33 AM   #9
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Cool From then till now.....

"I am not a friend to a very energetic government. They are always opressive."
Thomas Jefferson.

"If the personal freedoms guaranteed by the constitution inhibit the governments ability to govern the people, we should look to limit those guarantee's."
William Jefferson Clinton, August 12, 1993

"Even the most normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats."
Mencken


I think I've said this before, but I would be real careful how I talked to the old timers if I was some panty waste, dribble talking, Constitution changing, pansy kinda, person, because if I remember correctly, these guys had just fought a war with the big guys on the block, and weren't taking no shiite from nobody, and I don't think they'd think much of nothing we got going on today. Period.

As a matter of fact, they might just be passing the ammo out and printing the flyers....oh yeah....sending out those e mails.....I keep forgetting, the information age.....


These were men who had pretty strong opinions, and shot you if you disagreed. I doubt whether they would of liked changes....


As a matter of fact....


"Those who would sacrifice essential liberty to secure a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Ben Franklin


Ya know what I really hate? When someone says, "Oh, they wouldn't say that if they were alive today."

Nope. Your Right. They'd probably say something like, "Give me a knife, I'm gutting this fool before he can breed any more of his kind to pollute the face of the earth....,"

Or something like that. I'm not right on the button on that one probably....


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Old 04-02-2006, 08:49 AM   #10
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History is not without a sense of irony... The founders rebelled against one King George, to only have him replaced by another..

Seriously though, all 3 branches of government have gone rogue.. Congress will not hold the Executive branch accountable, meanwhile the Executive (Bush) hasn't veto'ed a single bill since assuming the office of President.. all the while the Judicial is legislating from the bench.. The whole system is out of whack..

I am convinced that single party control over all 3 branches is a negative, because legislators and judges elevate party loyalty over their constitutional duty to act as checks and balances of each other.
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