[First_Salute]

Thomas Paine (in the continuation of his article - see above link):

"... it is the nature and intention of a constitution to prevent governing by party, by establishing a common principle that shall limit and control the power and impulse of party, and that says to all parties, thus far shalt thou go and no further. But in the absence of a constitution, men look entirely to party; and instead of principle governing party, party governs principle."

[snopercod]

Thanks for the flag.

party governs principle Paine predicted exactly what his beloved America has now become.

Q: Which party advocates(d) "the common good before the individual good"?

1. The Nazi party of pre-war Germany
2. The republican party of George W. Bush
3. The democrat party of Bill Clinton

[eskimo]

"... it is the nature and intention of a constitution to prevent governing by party, by establishing a common principle that shall limit and control the power and impulse of party, and that says to all parties, thus far shalt thou go and no further. But in the absence of a constitution, men look entirely to party; and instead of principle governing party, party governs principle." Eloquently stated "commonsense" by Thomas Paine.

I do not believe many would disagree that party at this time governs principle.

Perhaps the constitutionally appointed defenders of the common principle should be notified.

[Lumberjack]

But in the absence of a constitution, men look entirely to party; and instead of principle governing party, party governs principle.

No words more true have been spoken. Today, no better example of this at play is to be seen but on FR and DU. I'm sure, as a result, that Mr. Paine will be held in contempt and trashed as "anti-Bush", as are most people here and in other forums who do not tow the party line.

There was a reason why this man's writings were so well received two and a third centuries ago. There once existed a nation filled with men and women who believed in ideas and ideals of liberty. What statement is it for today's men and women that so few of us exist any longer?