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Some thoughts on our nations founding fathers

Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:35 am
Posted by Broke
AKA Buttercup
Member since Sep 2006
65044 posts
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?
Posted by Blue Velvet
Apple butter toast is nice
Member since Nov 2009
20112 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:37 am to
Posting on r/ancap from a weed smoke-filled basement
Posted by Road Tiger
SW Landmass
Member since Oct 2014
834 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:37 am to
They are smart enough to keep their mouths shut.
Posted by UGATiger26
Jacksonville, FL
Member since Dec 2009
9044 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:39 am to
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.
Posted by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
64325 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:40 am to
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
Posted by CherryGarciaMan
Sugar Magnolia
Member since Aug 2012
2497 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:40 am to
All the Thomas Jeffersons have been aborted while the Michael Browns have been allowed to multiple exponentially in this country.
Posted by DelU249
Austria
Member since Dec 2010
77625 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:42 am to
I do agree, and it mentions the best part, the part that is always overlooked
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 by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
64325 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:45 am to
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 by AngryBeavers
Member since Jun 2012
4554 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:48 am to
Libs will tell you they were a bunch of slave owning white guys that didn't want to pay taxes.
Posted by BayouBlitz
Member since Aug 2007
15842 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:53 am to
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 by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
64325 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:53 am to
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.
Posted by FT
REDACTED
Member since Oct 2003
26925 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:54 am to
quote:

And they would be right.
What's so bad about a little slave owning and tax evasion?

Sounds like some shite I'd wanna do.
Posted by stevengtiger
Member since Jul 2013
2778 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:54 am to
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 by BayouBlitz
Member since Aug 2007
15842 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:57 am to
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 by FT
REDACTED
Member since Oct 2003
26925 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 9:58 am to
quote:

That would make you a horrible human being.
I wouldn't be remembered that way, though. I'd just be remembered for telling Britain to frick off.
quote:

And don't forget, we need to repeal women's right to vote. Can't have that.
Finally, something we agree on.
Posted by Broke
AKA Buttercup
Member since Sep 2006
65044 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 10:04 am to
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 by Lakeboy7
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2011
23965 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 10:13 am to
Trial lawyers

Posted by weagle99
Member since Nov 2011
35893 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 10:19 am to
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 by Broke
AKA Buttercup
Member since Sep 2006
65044 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 10:22 am to
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 by Lakeboy7
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2011
23965 posts
Posted on 12/12/14 at 10:23 am to
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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