Posted on 11/28/2013 2:52:40 PM PST by Kaslin
The principles America was founded on have paved the way for the freedoms and privileges each citizen is thankful for today. At the heart of conservatism, is the recognition that many of these founding ideals are worth fighting to preserve.
In the words of John Quincy Adams: "Posterity--you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."
So in the spirit of preserving todays blessings for tomorrows Americans, lets take a look at ten things the Founding Fathers would be fighting against in the 21st century.
1. President Obamas Power Grabs
The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first. - Thomas Jefferson
2. Increased Taxation
The apportionment of taxes on the various descriptions of property is an act which seems to require the most exact impartiality; yet there is, perhaps, no legislative act in which greater opportunity and temptation are given to a predominant party to trample on the rules of justice. James Madison
3. Adult Children
Congratulations, 26-year-olds today can now stay on their parents health insurance and prolong adolescence. By the age of 26, George Washington had already worked as an official surveyor for Virginia, fought in the French and Indian War and climbed to the rank of Colonel.
4. Breakdown of the Family
Marriage is an institution, which may properly be deemed to arise from the law of nature. It distributes the whole of society into families, and creates a permanent union of interests, and a mutual guardianship of the same. It binds children by indissoluble ties, and adds new securities to the good order of society, by connecting the happiness of the whole family with the good behavior of all. It furnishes additional motives for honest industry and economy in private life, and for a deeper love of the country of our birth. - Joseph Story
5. Foreign Involvement
It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them. -George Washington
6. Chicagos Gun Laws
"To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them." -George Mason
7. Religious Intolerance
The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an unalienable right. -James Madison
8. Direct Election of Senators
"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote." U.S. Constitution Article I, section 3.
9. The National Debt
No pecuniary consideration is more urgent than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt; on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of the time more valuable. -George Washington
10. The Federal Reserve
"Paper is poverty...it is only the ghost of money, and not money. -Thomas Jefferson
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sad how far we’ve come from the Founding principles of America.
#8 proved unworkable, which is why it was rightfully amended via the Constitution.
All true, but as a friend said in an email earlier today:
“The great thing about America is that even with the present people in charge mucking up every conceivable thing we stand for, we are still Americans and have a lot to be thankful for. It can be worse. and it appears it will get worse,
but as long as we honor the One who the founders based it all on, we will persevere and will overcome.”
"Rightfully" my aunt fanny.
The 17th amendment is directly responsible for worthless, lifetime politicians like McCain, Schumer, Boxer, Kennedy, etc.
We'd be much better off without it.
Nonsense. You want unaccountable ? Return to having politicians electing politicians. That’s why the people demanded it be changed.
The founding fathers knew what they were doing
They weren’t infallible. After all, they still saddled us with slavery enshrined into law instead of abolishing it at the start.
Number 10 is the root cause of the first nine.
What was “unworkable” about it? Do you really think that popular elections for senators fixed some fundamental problem?
The Fed empowers the expansionary politicians who created it and the expansion of the federal government leads to the breakdown of all other parts of society.
How about having senators representing the interests of their individual states as a check on growing federal power?
The unworkable part is self-evident. Politicians electing politicians instead of the people. It was a high-minded notion which was corrupt in practice.
Exactly!
Would you feel better having the chance of defeating Boxer and Feinstein go from 40% to 0% by putting your full and complete faith in the corrupt, statist and Stalinist California legislature ? That’s what repeal will get you.
Bob’s right.
Disagree. This anti-17th schtick has been beaten to death.
ROFL. Who elects the politicians to the state legislature then? City and county politicians?
The 17th should be repealed, along with the 16th.
Hey, those corrupt, statist, and Stalinist CA legislators are just taking orders from the corrupt, statist, and Stalinist CA morons.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.