Finished up the book "Founding Brothers" by Joseph Ellis and started on "1776" by David McCullough. Considering the political upheaval inflicting our nation now, going back to the roots of Democracy, the roots of individualistic Liberty, the struggle against Tyranny - all run parallel to the themes we struggle with now. It's hard to force perspective on the giants of the Founding - these men were living legends at the time and, as a lover of history, seem to become more gilded with time...at least to me. Of course hypocrisy abounded, when the multiple blights upon the momentum of Liberty were not realized for a century after the ink dried on the greatest document. Nevertheless, the freedom we enjoy as the fruit of that age is undeniable.
It is food for thought, to read their words from so long ago - to see their struggle, one that could have ended with the genocide of intellectualism. To even see the parallel of our two party system written in the effect of Adams versus Jefferson. Do we side upon individual freedom and rights inherent within the Constitution or do we expand the Government to be the arbiter of freedoms?
The reason that individualism works is that there isn't an arbitrary entity that can change with the fashions of its age. Government has never been the single lightening rod of success - those of us that are realists (especially that have worked for the G'vt) see the imperfection of a bureaucracy that cannot be flexible enough to progress with the needs of its people. Except! Except where there are the few that cannot do anything but depend on another entity to sustain it.
It would be of interest to see our age thirty, fifty or hundred years from now looking backward. It is so much clearer to see the elegance of the Constitution when it works correctly - when we capitalize upon the strengths of what it holds near in its language.
The question we should ask ourselves in this age is: are our goals, that seem to be dripping passion, clear in our minds and practical in application? I certainly don't think so. We certainly need more elegance in our temperment. And we have to stop politicians that try to please everyone: it doesn't work.
We need leadership as outlined in history: not bad actors trying to make the kids shut up for a little while.
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