Madison said, “Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks, no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.”
Ben Franklin was prescient when he stated at the end of the Constitutional Convention:
“In these sentiments, sir, I agree to that Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such, because I think a general government necessary for us ; and there is no form of government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered ; and believe, further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall be so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.”
It is ultimately up to the people to defend their God given, unalienable rights.
I’m not trying to be unfair here.
This is what you stated: No piece of paper can preserve our liberties.
This is where you said it: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2413487/posts?page=148#148
So why do you claim to support it?
Yes, ultimately you and I or others must take up arms if things get too far out of hand. That doesn’t mean the document hasn’t protected us, has not been useful as we stake claim to it’s premises.
That paper has definitely served to help preserve our liberties. Without it, we would have far less liberty today.
Look, I realize where you’re coming from, but I don’t care for the statement that no paper can preserve our liberties. That isn’t entirely accurate, and it just lays waste to the idea the Constitution is an important document. At least it does IMO.
Thanks for the response.