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Some thoughts on our nations founding fathers
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:35 am
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:35 am
I found this today. Do most people feel this way?
When we consider the founders of our nation - Jefferson, Washington, Samuel and John Adams, Madison and Monroe, Benjamin Franklin, Tom Paine and many others - we have before us a list of at least ten and maybe even dozens of great political leaders. They were well educated. Products of the European Enlightenment, they were students of history. They knew human fallibility and weakness and corruptibility. They were fluent in the English language. They wrote their own speeches. They were realistic and practical, and at the same time motivated by high principles. They were not checking the pollsters on what to think this week. They knew what to think. They were comfortable with long-term thinking, planning even further ahead than the next election. They were self-sufficient, not requiring careers as politicians or lobbyists to make a living. They were able to bring out the best in us. They were interested in and, at least two of them, fluent in science. They attempted to set a course for the United States into the far future - not so much by establishing laws as by setting limits on what kinds of laws could be passed. The Constitution and its Bill of Rights have done remarkably well, constituting, despite human weaknesses, a machine able, more often than not, to correct its own trajectory. At that time, there were only about two and a half million citizens of the United States. Today there are about a hundred times more. So if there were ten people of the calibre of Thomas Jefferson then, there ought to be 10 x 100 = 1,000 Thomas Jeffersons today.
Where are they?
When we consider the founders of our nation - Jefferson, Washington, Samuel and John Adams, Madison and Monroe, Benjamin Franklin, Tom Paine and many others - we have before us a list of at least ten and maybe even dozens of great political leaders. They were well educated. Products of the European Enlightenment, they were students of history. They knew human fallibility and weakness and corruptibility. They were fluent in the English language. They wrote their own speeches. They were realistic and practical, and at the same time motivated by high principles. They were not checking the pollsters on what to think this week. They knew what to think. They were comfortable with long-term thinking, planning even further ahead than the next election. They were self-sufficient, not requiring careers as politicians or lobbyists to make a living. They were able to bring out the best in us. They were interested in and, at least two of them, fluent in science. They attempted to set a course for the United States into the far future - not so much by establishing laws as by setting limits on what kinds of laws could be passed. The Constitution and its Bill of Rights have done remarkably well, constituting, despite human weaknesses, a machine able, more often than not, to correct its own trajectory. At that time, there were only about two and a half million citizens of the United States. Today there are about a hundred times more. So if there were ten people of the calibre of Thomas Jefferson then, there ought to be 10 x 100 = 1,000 Thomas Jeffersons today.
Where are they?
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:37 am to Broke
Posting on r/ancap from a weed smoke-filled basement
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:37 am to Broke
They are smart enough to keep their mouths shut.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:39 am to Broke
I don't really have a problem with any of that.
The only thing is that I think they were as self-interested as any other human being. They weren't angels.
But yes, I think for the most part, they did care a lot more about the future of the country and the freedom of its citizens than most of our politicians do today.
The only thing is that I think they were as self-interested as any other human being. They weren't angels.
But yes, I think for the most part, they did care a lot more about the future of the country and the freedom of its citizens than most of our politicians do today.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:40 am to Broke
Running business making movies and throwing touchdowns.
With media the way it is and the voters I must add those guys wouldn't have a snow balls chance in hell. Madison perhaps
With media the way it is and the voters I must add those guys wouldn't have a snow balls chance in hell. Madison perhaps
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:40 am to Broke
All the Thomas Jeffersons have been aborted while the Michael Browns have been allowed to multiple exponentially in this country.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:42 am to Broke
I do agree, and it mentions the best part, the part that is always overlooked
They constructed things almost entirely with an eye towards the distant future...pretty incredible.
ETA: The reason this gets overlooked is because the nature of their ideas were directly influenced by enlightenment principles, but also by the war they just fought and the circumstances leading up to it....BUT BUT BUT
the implementation was in such a way that I feel so strongly they really did strongly consider the future environment and technological advances.
quote:
planning even further
quote:
into the far future
They constructed things almost entirely with an eye towards the distant future...pretty incredible.
ETA: The reason this gets overlooked is because the nature of their ideas were directly influenced by enlightenment principles, but also by the war they just fought and the circumstances leading up to it....BUT BUT BUT
the implementation was in such a way that I feel so strongly they really did strongly consider the future environment and technological advances.
This post was edited on 12/12/14 at 10:17 am
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:45 am to CherryGarciaMan
quote:
All the Thomas Jeffersons have been aborted while the Michael Browns have been allowed to multiple exponentially
Have a bran muffin on me Mr Grumpy pants.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:48 am to Broke
Libs will tell you they were a bunch of slave owning white guys that didn't want to pay taxes.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:53 am to AngryBeavers
quote:
Libs will tell you they were a bunch of slave owning white guys that didn't want to pay taxes.
And they would be right.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:53 am to AngryBeavers
Which would be partially true.
If any one wants a good read try First American Bio of Ben Franklin.
One of the greatest and brightest of all Americans. A playa too.
If any one wants a good read try First American Bio of Ben Franklin.
One of the greatest and brightest of all Americans. A playa too.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:54 am to BayouBlitz
quote:What's so bad about a little slave owning and tax evasion?
And they would be right.
Sounds like some shite I'd wanna do.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:54 am to Broke
quote:
Where are they?
IMO, they are running the big corporations of the country. Why stoop to politics when the smartest, self-sufficient and go-get attitudes can work and make a bunch of money? Have a family member who is extremely smart, motivated, and has helped run large companies. He has also been approached to run for local offices but couldn't stand the thought of dealing in politics. But you bring up some great points.
This post was edited on 12/12/14 at 9:56 am
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:57 am to FT
quote:
Sounds like some shite I'd wanna do.
That would make you a horrible human being.
And don't forget, we need to repeal women's right to vote. Can't have that.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:58 am to BayouBlitz
quote:I wouldn't be remembered that way, though. I'd just be remembered for telling Britain to frick off.
That would make you a horrible human being.
quote:Finally, something we agree on.
And don't forget, we need to repeal women's right to vote. Can't have that.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 10:04 am to FT
This country was founded partly on slavery. I don't think we can forget that. It's provided us the lives we have today basically. Which is weird.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 10:19 am to Broke
quote:
I don't think we can forget that
Don't worry. We are reminded on a regular basis, mainly by a segment of society that is too incompetent to improve its lot in life.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 10:22 am to weagle99
quote:
Don't worry. We are reminded on a regular basis, mainly by a segment of society that is too incompetent to improve its lot in life.
Those shitheads have absolutely nothing to do with slavery.
Posted on 12/12/14 at 10:23 am to weagle99
quote:
We are reminded on a regular basis, mainly by a segment of society that is too incompetent to improve its lot in life.
White trash?
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