Post by Matt D. on Apr 7, 2014 20:33:47 GMT -5
avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/patrick.asp
This about sums up patriotism.
These are my feelings, and I think this is what all should feel about freedom.
Patrick Henry would have made an amazing president, but he refused to due to the fact he was an anti-federalist til his death.
One has to wonder if he was right in that sentiment with the current events of today.
If we would realize the approach James Madison thought necessary in federalist paper #45 in cases of the federal government overstepping it's bounds, we would not have one tenth of the problems we have today.
thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fed_45.html
Here is the thing that stands out to me from the first paragraph is this right here, "Were the plan of the convention adverse to the public happiness, my voice would be, Reject the plan. Were the Union itself inconsistent with the public happiness, it would be, Abolish the Union."
That is exactly what would be recommended by the founders today, as is also evident in the declaration,
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. "
That is a new outlook, is it not?
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."
That is such a refreshing outlook, is it not?
I think one thing about it is we are afraid. It is a scary thought, for example, to think of having to start a new government from scratch.
What would we do?
Look to the past. For the time will come when we will be required to rely upon our knowledge of our history to provide a basis for our cause.
I spend an extensive amount of time reading the federalist and anti federalist papers, along with the constitution, (both state and national) and the declaration.
Why?
Because I get into a lot of debates. (I mean 10-30 per month) I don't lose many. But that comes from a basic (very!) knowledge of our laws and our founding documents. If you look into it, their will for what our country was to be was clear, it was to be a land of freedom, not of laws. Why else would there be a list of things the congress can make laws concerning? Why else a tenth amendment?
All are there for a reason, to keep our freedom intact.
Why have we allowed them to be forgotten? I encourage everyone I know to read the constitution, but I doubt anyone does.
The problem is most people think that our constitution is long. Not true. It's takes 25 minutes to read and is easily understood if you just take it simply.
The most denied part of the constitution, is, in my opinion, article one, section eight.
It lists the powers of congress (The meaning back then was both houses, unlike the modern meaning). They have less than 25 things which they can legislate on constitutionally. Arms, for example, are not on the list.
Why do we expect people to vote right if they don't know what our government is? I guarantee you that if you ask a random voter at the polls what our government is supposed to be they will answer democratic republic. Most people think that (Thanks in no small part to the media).
It is our duty to inform all of the facts. We're a constitutional federal republic. A federal republic bound to follow it's consitution by the states. That is how it's meant to be.
I know it takes time (that we don't have, sadly), but we have to dedicate some time for our nation's future. I try my hardest to know all that goes on in our government, along with the right solution to what they are doing.
Because that, unfortunately, is how it works.
Matt.
This about sums up patriotism.
These are my feelings, and I think this is what all should feel about freedom.
Patrick Henry would have made an amazing president, but he refused to due to the fact he was an anti-federalist til his death.
One has to wonder if he was right in that sentiment with the current events of today.
If we would realize the approach James Madison thought necessary in federalist paper #45 in cases of the federal government overstepping it's bounds, we would not have one tenth of the problems we have today.
thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fed_45.html
Here is the thing that stands out to me from the first paragraph is this right here, "Were the plan of the convention adverse to the public happiness, my voice would be, Reject the plan. Were the Union itself inconsistent with the public happiness, it would be, Abolish the Union."
That is exactly what would be recommended by the founders today, as is also evident in the declaration,
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. "
That is a new outlook, is it not?
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."
That is such a refreshing outlook, is it not?
I think one thing about it is we are afraid. It is a scary thought, for example, to think of having to start a new government from scratch.
What would we do?
Look to the past. For the time will come when we will be required to rely upon our knowledge of our history to provide a basis for our cause.
I spend an extensive amount of time reading the federalist and anti federalist papers, along with the constitution, (both state and national) and the declaration.
Why?
Because I get into a lot of debates. (I mean 10-30 per month) I don't lose many. But that comes from a basic (very!) knowledge of our laws and our founding documents. If you look into it, their will for what our country was to be was clear, it was to be a land of freedom, not of laws. Why else would there be a list of things the congress can make laws concerning? Why else a tenth amendment?
All are there for a reason, to keep our freedom intact.
Why have we allowed them to be forgotten? I encourage everyone I know to read the constitution, but I doubt anyone does.
The problem is most people think that our constitution is long. Not true. It's takes 25 minutes to read and is easily understood if you just take it simply.
The most denied part of the constitution, is, in my opinion, article one, section eight.
It lists the powers of congress (The meaning back then was both houses, unlike the modern meaning). They have less than 25 things which they can legislate on constitutionally. Arms, for example, are not on the list.
Why do we expect people to vote right if they don't know what our government is? I guarantee you that if you ask a random voter at the polls what our government is supposed to be they will answer democratic republic. Most people think that (Thanks in no small part to the media).
It is our duty to inform all of the facts. We're a constitutional federal republic. A federal republic bound to follow it's consitution by the states. That is how it's meant to be.
I know it takes time (that we don't have, sadly), but we have to dedicate some time for our nation's future. I try my hardest to know all that goes on in our government, along with the right solution to what they are doing.
Because that, unfortunately, is how it works.
Matt.