Random Fate posts little gatherings of quotes from Thomas Jefferson and James Madison -- clarion warnings about the price of liberty that sound as if they were spoken across the centuries right into our ear. Examples:
Jefferson:
Resolved … that it would be a dangerous delusion were a confidence in the men of our choice to silence our fears for the safety of our rights: that confidence is everywhere the parent of despotism— free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence.
Madison:
There are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by the gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpation.
Must read. As stated here before: those founding dads were some rad dudes.
There are some statements in the Federalist Papers by Madison and Hamilton that are just so ... true. The basic philosophy seems to be distrust of human nature. Not necessarily because people are bad, although we all have that potential, but because of the way life on earth is structured.
I think this basic distrust is what is missing from leftist and progressive philosophy. The American founders could have predicted the dismal failures of communism.
On the other hand, I realize that the left today is deeply distrustful of the Bush administration, which could make you think they share the founders' philosophy. But I have a feeling they only distrust this administration because it is, supposedly, conservative. If it were a liberal progressive administration that promised health, happiness and financial security for all, they would have faith in its goodness.
Posted by: realpc | March 02, 2006 at 02:53 PM