Posted by Doc M on November 17, 2000 at 12:50:35:
In Reply to: 18th Century Political Thoughts posted by Elaine on November 17, 2000 at 11:42:25:
: -It would be a dangerous delusion were a confidence in the men of our choice to silence our fears for the safety of our rights: that confidence is everywhere the parent of despotism - free government is founded on jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy and not confidence which prescribes limited constitutions ... in questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but BIND HIM DOWN FROM MISCHIEF BY THE CHAINS OF THE CONSTITUTION.
: -A Bill of Rights would help create a national sentiment to 'counteract the impulses of interest and passion' of popular majorities and provide a rallying point against a usurping government.
: -Th Jefferson
:
: Far greater than the current political pseudo-quagmire is the integrity of the process, the government, & the constitution. The small potatoes now boiling will be mashed by the 'morrow. It is the process of boiling the water that will endure -
: E
: PS The people HAVE decided ... thank those before us for the voice & the proper forum in which to voice.
Good God -- were there really men with thoughts like these
who managed to be elected? When you think of the current
crop who couldn't find their own butts with a map, a
flashlight, and a focus group, it's enough to make poor
old Doc M go and lie for hours on her slipper chair with
a cold cloth on her forehead. And my first and only
thoughts on the whole subject -- for those on EITHER
side -- surely you realize that were the situation
reversed, the exact same thing would be happening,
and the same platitudes would be uttered...only by
different mouths. It's Alice In Wonderland, my pets,
and we've all fallen down the rabbit hole. Martin Sheen
for President, anyone?
Doc M