A very eye-opening (for me) moment was when someone (wish I could recall who it was!) replied to me that FR would have been a Federalist website.
I think that it's so difficult to match up things across time (modern conservatives who would have been against the Constitution back then are some of its most ardent defenders), but that was an excellent observation and probably why I sometimes find myself at odds with FReepers who are more big-government in their outlook.
Not to jump ahead of things, but I think that both sides were right. On one hand, having the Second Amendment written out might be the only reason the right hasn't been totally abrogated. But on the other hand, by enumerating rights, people have gotten the idea that only the Bill of Rights matters and that the Constitution "grants us rights."
LOL! I'd have to agree. It's amazing how many people think a Republic is where everyone gets to try to tell everyone else what do do. :-)
but I think that both sides were right.
Excellent point. The Founders KNEW they had to have something written in order to make the States' dealings with foreign nations unified and to settle squabbles among themselves.
Having it misinterpreted or ignored was a risk they took. The best they could hope for was to tie it down as long as possible.
I look forward to the discussion!