On Which Path are We?... (Part #4)
by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny
Damn it's awfully tough being a limited government, states right, social libertarian type of guy in this day and age. I mean the more I consider the implications the more I seem to find classical liberalism is at full play. I always knew it I suppose being a history major back in the day when history, as opposed to social studies was still taught.
What I find most perplexing is the people's representatives inability to find some frigging way to identify solutions to the pressing problems of today. As Lord Acton said... ""Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." Well, If Lord Acton was correct we have an abundance of corrupted men, on both sides of the political divide.
Our national problem methinks is that we have few men and women that strive to do the right thing simply because it is right. Regardless of the impact on them and or their "party." Acquiring and retaining power is more important than doing the right thing. Granting favors to a myriad of special interests is one way in which those in power stay in power. And they are willing to bankrupt this country and place it in grave danger to keep their power.
There has really never been a time in my life that I was more concerned about the future well being of our country than I am right now. We are the greatest military power on the face of the earth. As might be expected we seem to find ourselves in a never ending cycle of conflict. Perhaps this is so we can engage the enemy and spread "our superior" way of life. There is something I recall about our wise founding fathers advising to stay clear of foreign entanglements.
Then there is something about wise financial management that the founders recognized and thus warned the nation to follow prudent and sound fiscal policy. They seemed to understand that the federal government should not be the candy store for all and they recognized the wisdom in keeping government limited and controlled. Limited an controlled allows for the expansion of a growing nation. But it does require that brakes be applied as needed o keep the train from running away, out of control.
Of course there is the issue of individual liberties, both secular and religious. The founders in their wisdom set the table to allow for both. They set up a system whereby the we would become a nation of laws rather than of men. They and put into place a judicial system that was intended to perpetuate the new concept of self governance and judicial equality. And they wisely put in place wording that would separate church and governance.
Most of all they overcame many differences of opinion in that long hot summer of 1787 in Philadelphia. Because they were able to do so they successfully established the framework, and the inner workings of what arguably became the best governing system ever devised. Today it seems as though these lessons are lost on our elected representatives and senators. The thirst, indeed the lust for power has invaded the halls of government and it is taking its toll on the nation.
I've rambled on long enough this early Saturday morning, yet thre is so much more to be said. It will wait for another day.
Oh, I almost forgot. The article that got me thinking about this an hour ago can be fund here. It speaks without need of further comment from me. However, please feel free to opine over it's content.
Via: Memeorandum
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny
 |
| Rodin - The Thinker |
Damn it's awfully tough being a limited government, states right, social libertarian type of guy in this day and age. I mean the more I consider the implications the more I seem to find classical liberalism is at full play. I always knew it I suppose being a history major back in the day when history, as opposed to social studies was still taught.
What I find most perplexing is the people's representatives inability to find some frigging way to identify solutions to the pressing problems of today. As Lord Acton said... ""Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." Well, If Lord Acton was correct we have an abundance of corrupted men, on both sides of the political divide.
Our national problem methinks is that we have few men and women that strive to do the right thing simply because it is right. Regardless of the impact on them and or their "party." Acquiring and retaining power is more important than doing the right thing. Granting favors to a myriad of special interests is one way in which those in power stay in power. And they are willing to bankrupt this country and place it in grave danger to keep their power.
There has really never been a time in my life that I was more concerned about the future well being of our country than I am right now. We are the greatest military power on the face of the earth. As might be expected we seem to find ourselves in a never ending cycle of conflict. Perhaps this is so we can engage the enemy and spread "our superior" way of life. There is something I recall about our wise founding fathers advising to stay clear of foreign entanglements.
Then there is something about wise financial management that the founders recognized and thus warned the nation to follow prudent and sound fiscal policy. They seemed to understand that the federal government should not be the candy store for all and they recognized the wisdom in keeping government limited and controlled. Limited an controlled allows for the expansion of a growing nation. But it does require that brakes be applied as needed o keep the train from running away, out of control.
Of course there is the issue of individual liberties, both secular and religious. The founders in their wisdom set the table to allow for both. They set up a system whereby the we would become a nation of laws rather than of men. They and put into place a judicial system that was intended to perpetuate the new concept of self governance and judicial equality. And they wisely put in place wording that would separate church and governance.
Most of all they overcame many differences of opinion in that long hot summer of 1787 in Philadelphia. Because they were able to do so they successfully established the framework, and the inner workings of what arguably became the best governing system ever devised. Today it seems as though these lessons are lost on our elected representatives and senators. The thirst, indeed the lust for power has invaded the halls of government and it is taking its toll on the nation.
I've rambled on long enough this early Saturday morning, yet thre is so much more to be said. It will wait for another day.
Oh, I almost forgot. The article that got me thinking about this an hour ago can be fund here. It speaks without need of further comment from me. However, please feel free to opine over it's content.
Via: Memeorandum
Great post. I find myself pondering the exact same things you express here. I'm sure millions of Americans do as well. Even I am flabbergasted at just how inept both parties are at even considering solutions to the dangerous place we find ourselves in.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim. I am simply astounded by both modern liberals and conservatives essential denunciation of perhaps the most rational and valid concept of rights and proper governance ever conceived.
DeleteThe beauty of remaining open to both sides of the political spectrum is that one eventually begins to realize the absurdity of both.
It seems that history is indeed destined to repeat itself. I am beginning to believe that Lord Acton was indeed correct. It is more about power today than doing the proper and right thing as ur founders ultimately did. But what do we know? Other than a bit about history and reason.