Words Unheeded

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Birthplace of Independent Conservatism

The year: 1796
The place: A Free Nation
The setting: A farewell address from a true leader
The impact: Obviously minimal

It has been said those who fail to learn from the mistakes of the past {history}are doomed to repeat them. Given the present state of affairs it is certain those words words ring true.

"Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, (I conjure you to believe me fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government."
I have pondered this excerpt from President George Washington's farewell address to the nation many times over. Each time I do his words serve to highlight his wisdom.

It also leads one to the conclusion that as a nation we have chosen to learn little.



Comments

  1. Jersey McJonesWed Feb 23, 01:19:00 PM EST

    War makes a lot of money for some very powerful people, Les. Combine Washington's quote with Ike's famous warning, and you see what we really haven't learned. Just follow the money...

    JMJ

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousWed Feb 23, 06:23:00 PM EST

    The lyrics to War Pigs spring to mind, as done by Black Sabbath, of course.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Les CarpenterThu Feb 24, 04:40:00 AM EST

    Did a whole deal awhile back on The MIC complete with Ike's farewell address.

    Since 1796 {note Washington's reference to history}to the present we have not learned the lessons of history.

    Given many foreigns nations are in the same boat the never ending cycle will continue I'm certain.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jersey McJonesThu Feb 24, 12:21:00 PM EST

    It won't continue forever, Les. Eventually all great war powers go broke and fade away.

    JMJ

    ReplyDelete
  5. The GriperThu Feb 24, 02:53:00 PM EST

    to me, that quote only exemplifies the constitutional division of powers between the States and federal government which has been corrupted.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Les CarpenterFri Feb 25, 11:52:00 AM EST

    JMJ - History, history, history... But to most it is just a boring irrelevant subject matter to get through as quickly as possible, quickly forget, and move on to the real important masters of life.

    With the perhaps the exception of the pointy headed progressives that thrive on using {revising} history in the pursuit of making the USA the villain in all the worlds woes. Of course in reality they are irrelevant really.

    You may be correct in your analysis, perhaps we will fade away as other great powers before us. If we do it will be unfortunate for society in general. It is the foundation built in 1787, after an 8 year war and 3 years of the failed Articles of Confederation that make this the greatest country on this planet. Perhaps that is why so many STILL wish to come here.

    Rome fell in part due to internal corruption and decadence. There are parallels with Rome and Washington, Both in the recent past, and certainly at present.

    If you live long enough JMJ be prepared for a very different existence. One that will without a donut provide you with much less security and likely much less liberty.

    Tic tock, tic tock, tic tock....

    ReplyDelete
  7. Les CarpenterFri Feb 25, 12:14:00 PM EST

    Griper - I am interested in hearing more on your intriguing perspective on the quote.

    It is clear that Washington was in favor of a strong federal government to oversee the trade between the US and foreign nations as well as regulating trade {commerce} between the several states. Both the economic system and the federal government during the war years and the few years before the constitution was ratified was in serious disarray. As Washington confided in a friend prior to the Constitutional Convention, he feared the states were on the verge of anarchy.

    His quote as I see it is a warning against allowing foreign powers to influence our national affairs as to do so results in unfortunate realities, many of which we see today.

    I would concur that the Federal Government as it has increased it's powers is largely responsible for the mess we are in. However....

    My brother and I {he being the educated intellectual one} once had a conversation along these lines. His musings, perhaps the original thirteen states should have became 13 separate nations, and that today perhaps we should be 50 independent nations.

    Intriguing.

    ReplyDelete

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