[Retain Mike]

Democracy through our republic is definitely worth it. Classical Christian faith which invigorated much of the Enlightenment formed the basis for a constitution promising the intangible, natural freedoms of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness among others. The intension of convention delegates was never material comfort, but instead spiritual advancement as individuals created, encouraged, explored, built, cooperated, served and/or taught, and became heroic, while pursuing a new life. They intended for people to be truly human.

Ben Franklin said you have a republic now if you can keep it. Looks like it is vanishing.

[polymuser]

“Democracy through our republic is definitely worth it.”

Ya lost me there...

[who_would_fardels_bear]

The Enlightenment ideals you speak of were formulated early on. Since then the Enlightenment continued forward to give us Hegel, Marx, Freud, Nietzsche, Rawls, Dewey, Rorty, etc. I guess you can pick and choose which Enlightenment thinkers you believe, but the progressives have chosen other philosophers to follow. The Enlightenment didn’t stop in the 1700’s but continues to this day for good and ill. The Enlightenment is a Pandora’s box. It gave us the Apollo missions and mustard gas.