That great intellectual giant and learned political philosopher who authored our Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, was modest and humble in his assessment of those of less education than he, thereby exhibiting a generous spirit and wisdom.
"State a moral case to a ploughman and a professor. The former will decide it as well, & often better than the latter, because he has not been led astray by artificial rules."- Letter to Peter Carr
On the other hand, Jefferson had this to say about a class of politicians that Dickinson might hold in great esteem:
"If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour?" - Thomas JeffersonToday, we have constitutionally-illiterate folks who call themselves "progressives," or sometimes "intellectuals," who have studied little of the history of civilization, few of the great philosophers, and their reading and discussions of "progressive" political ideas only makes them dangerous to the cause of liberty in America and worldwide.
Oh, for a Jefferson, who, at age 33, was able to articulate the philosophical basis for an American Constitution whose protections for individual liberty and limits of government power made America the destination for hundreds of millions of oppressed people from all over the globe, and the literal breadbasket of the world.
Is a rediscovery of its ideas not the very wish list that the Taxed Enough Already movement embraces?
If so, then it is Mr. Dickinson whose ignorance is on display!
Well said ... I have nothing more cogent to add ... just thank you for stating it so well!