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talkpoliticsTo judge from the conduct of the opposite parties, we shall be led to conclude that they will mutually hope to evince the justness of their opinions, and to increase the number of their converts by the loudness of their declamations and the bitterness of their invectives. An enlightened zeal for the energy and efficiency of government will be stigmatized as the offspring of a temper fond of despotic power and hostile to the principles of liberty. An over-scrupulous jealousy of danger to the rights of the people, which is more commonly the fault of the head than of the heart, will be represented as mere pretense and artifice, the stale bait for popularity at the expense of the public good. It will be forgotten, on the one hand, that jealousy is the usual concomitant of love, and that the noble enthusiasm of liberty is apt to be infected with a spirit of narrow and illiberal distrust. On the other hand, it will be equally forgotten that the vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty; that, in the contemplation of a sound and well-informed judgment, their interest can never be separated; and that a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government. History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants.
- Alexander Hamilton
It's amazing to me how much this passage applies to the political discourse of today as much as it did 200+ years ago. It's especially poignant how many of those spouting the bitterest invectives are those calling back to the ideals of the founding fathers. Well perhaps they should pay more attention to what the founding fathers actually said. Of course my bias is showing, and while I am inclined to emphasize such phrases as "a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people" I believe there is wisdom in this paragraph for both sides of the debate.
What do you think of this passage? Does it serve as a warning for where our political discourse might be headed? Is Hamilton too obviously favoring one "side" of the debate? Of course he's trying to sell the Constitution so he would favor one side, but it's interesting to remember that the Constitution which is now lauded as the cornerstone of our liberty was once viewed as a huge intrusion into state and personal sovereignty.
(no subject)
Date: 13/4/10 22:46 (UTC)Good point.
Date: 13/4/10 23:39 (UTC)Re: Good point.
Date: 14/4/10 00:26 (UTC)Is this what you're referring to by "enthusiasm for monarchy"?
Re: Good point.
Date: 14/4/10 22:48 (UTC)Re: Good point.
Date: 14/4/10 01:44 (UTC)Re: Good point.
Date: 14/4/10 02:16 (UTC)Part of the reason why we got here is because of his arguments.
(no subject)
Date: 14/4/10 01:10 (UTC)"Stirrings" is a polite way to put it.
Date: 14/4/10 22:45 (UTC)Re: "Stirrings" is a polite way to put it.
Date: 14/4/10 23:58 (UTC)Re: "Stirrings" is a polite way to put it.
Date: 15/4/10 23:08 (UTC)The Library of America's collection of Hamilton's letters (http://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Hamilton-Writings-Library-America/dp/1931082049/) includes an assertion on Hamilton's part that he would not try to shoot Burr. The evidence at the scene bears this out in that he shot off to the side. It's more like he was trying to set himself up to be a martyr.
(no subject)
Date: 13/4/10 22:55 (UTC)Hey at least you have one, Ours is unwritten and like an unwritten contract it's hardly worth the paper it's not written on.
(no subject)
Date: 14/4/10 13:20 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 14/4/10 13:30 (UTC)Cool? The house of Lords is an Elitist "Club", membership is bought and paid for by way of backhanders to members of our countries greatest "Drinking mans club" otherwise known as the House of Parliament, This my friend is Far from "Cool", corrupt mebbee, cool NO.
As for Queenie, Well at least one of your "Stolen" states had a sovereign (thus questionable membership of the "United states banner") Jeese, Nowt "Cool" about either believe me, Hell Queenie I'm sure believes this country has no litter, no overgrown hedges, more police than we need and everything smells of fresh paint as the day before she visits anywhere all these problems are dealt with for her entire road route, and It's been a long while since I've seen of her visiting Sink estates.
P.S.
Date: 14/4/10 13:34 (UTC)Our Consitution isn't so much "Unwritten", but sure as hell lacks the collation yours has, Hell from what I can gather, yours is a list of ideals + a long list of ammendments, ours tend to be in legal books scatterred around the country in different courthouse libraries, searching through lists of past cases for Regina vs... for any specific ruling is Hell, and as chances are the soliciotor will be billing for his time rather than that of the Admin staff doing the work, It's all about the cash ;)
Of course...
Date: 13/4/10 23:42 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 14/4/10 00:22 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 14/4/10 01:23 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 14/4/10 01:42 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 15/4/10 09:38 (UTC)That's right...
Date: 14/4/10 22:54 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 14/4/10 01:41 (UTC)Still...
Date: 14/4/10 22:53 (UTC)ah comments.
Date: 14/4/10 02:04 (UTC)But yeah. I love the founders and the Federalist Papers. Fascinating reading. Applies yes. [Proselytizing, no.]
Re: ah comments.
Date: 14/4/10 13:36 (UTC)20/20 Hindsight, an amazing gift :)
Next Topic Nostradamus :)
Re: ah comments.
Date: 14/4/10 15:46 (UTC)