A Reminder From Franklin

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Birthplace of Independent Conservatism

Benjamin Franklin had it right. Today I think one can safely say that since the great experiment in self government (republican government), whose concepts were born during the Age of Reason and the Enlightenment and came to full fruition with the American Revolution, the nation founded on the principles contained in Franklin's quote below has strayed far.

"The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy." --Benjamin Franklin, Emblematical Representations, 1774

The further we have strayed from the founding republican principles on which this nation was built and grew strong staying true to, the greater our problems seem to grow. We are already in the shadows of a declining nation. The choice we have is to continue on the same path or chart a new one.

Perhaps the nation and its leaders will put aside the politics of political correctness and special interest, turning away from corruption, and pandering to those with the heaviest and most fully stuffed wallet. Even a great nation such as the United States of America can not expect to survive if it turns from the very values that were responsible for it achieving greatness.

Words from a great 18th century thinker. And just some thoughts from a 21st century American patriot who loves his country. It's the {unsavory} politicians, businesses, and unions that are the problem.

Cross posted to the Left Coast Rebel

Comments

  1. Jersey McJonesMon Feb 28, 02:36:00 PM EST

    Do you have any particular examples of "laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another..."?

    JMJ

    ReplyDelete
  2. Les CarpenterMon Feb 28, 02:55:00 PM EST

    JMJ - My purpose in this post is to hopefully generate thought.

    I am quite sure you have a few examples and thoughts on the matter that you could cite.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jersey McJonesMon Feb 28, 03:04:00 PM EST

    Well, the Drug War would be a good example, I suppose. Here you have class and race warfare perpetrated for political power and patronage.

    I'm at a bit of a loss to name much more. There seems to be much more the government could be doing to protect the regular working masses from the corporate estate. I suppose that counts too, right?

    It's an interesting subject. I'll check back in when I get home from work tonight.

    JMJ

    ReplyDelete
  4. Les CarpenterMon Feb 28, 04:35:00 PM EST

    JMJ - You just named one, and one of my favorite actually. The war on drugs has essentially accomplished 0 results and helped drain the treasury.

    Since you produced a valid example I shall give you a lead. The MIC.

    More where that came from after your anticipated response.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The GriperMon Feb 28, 08:17:00 PM EST

    gentlemen
    Mr. Franklin is speaking in terms of States not individuals. he is advocating a federal government that treats every State as equals and that no federal law should benefit some States at the expense of the others. this was why the Senate was created. it was to act so as to prevent the House of Representatives from enacting laws that benefitted the larger State at the expense of the smaller States in this newly formed union.

    ReplyDelete

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