Where to begin? Well, to really understand where we are, we must first look at where we've been. As Aristotle wisely said "If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development." So let's jump right in. Below are some general facts which will aid in furthering our discussion:
- The Founding Fathers created the United States as a Constitutional Representative Republic and NOT a Democracy. From their intensive study of centuries past the Founders discovered that numerous forms of government and political systems had been tried throughout the world in the relatively short span of human history. These various systems included monarchy (rule by one), anarchy (rule by all), democracy (rule by majority), oligarchy (rule by minority), chaos (rule by nobody) and republic (rule by law)....among many others. They chose a Constitutional Republic because, understanding human nature, they decided this was the best chance for citizens of our country to remain free and to potentially prosper. And they knew that democracy was one of the worst systems, because it was simply 'tyranny by the majority'.
- Human nature never changes. Human beings born today have the same general desires, needs, flaws and fears as every 'normal' human born throughout history. These include the need for food, clothing, shelter, love, etc. We all struggle with the '7 deadly sins' identified by early Christianity....lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride. By defining human nature I don't mean to imply that every human is identical, but simply that certain tendencies are very predictable in every person and generation. An example of human nature that the founders understood is that people in power tend to want more power, and tend to do what they can to preserve the power they have. Certain types of people are also attracted to power. Look at any business or government today or at any time in history and this is plainly clear. There are of course exceptions to this general rule of human nature, but for the most part human beings who seek and obtain power often let it 'go to their heads'....for lack of a better term. Perhaps this derives from another natural human instinct for self-preservation. But anybody who takes a serious look at power structures and powerful people in our society or any other society throughout history can hardly argue this point.
- Democracies always fail. Benjamin Franklin stated "When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic." There are other derivations of Franklin's quote on the Internet, including the following which has proven historically accurate: "A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship and then a monarchy."
- Governments throughout history have often used crisis' as a launching pad for more power. See human nature above for an explanation for this. As I mentioned, there have been benevolent leaders scattered throughout history, but they are the exception and not the rule. Most politicians will use, or even create, a crisis to further their own personal ambitions.
- Before Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal the country was dramatically different. Some will argue that FDR changed the country for the better. Well in my world, all that matters are the results of our decisions, and not the intent behind them. And this discussion boils down to one simple thought....either the Founding Fathers were correct, or FDR was. My vote goes to the Founders. FDR was a masterful politician and believed in a more socialist approach to society's problems. Like most "progressives" he believed that the cumulative experiences of human history meant very little, and he knew of a better way. The Great Depression simply gave him the opportunity to implement his 'better way', and these changes dramatically swerved the nation's path, and has led us to where we are today.
More to follow....
