Bookmarking. Thanks.
In the early 60’s The Federalist Papers were covered in my school district. By the late ‘60’s they were gone.
When you’re trying to embezzle company funds, the last thing you do is show your employer how to check up on you....
This is a no-brainer as colleges in fact do not want an informed population.
It would be even more difficult to find college students capable of reading them, much less recognizing the snow job in Federalist 75 with which Hamilton hid a poison pill in the treaty power. Given the pending ratification of LOST or the Small Arms Treaty, it is a serious and current issue.
Hence, one should read the records of the Virginia Ratifying Convention as well.
It is only important for education systems show students how to appropriately ply rubbers...
I read some of the Federalist Papers at Bama. That probably had everything to do with Forrest McDonald being my professor. He made quite an impact on my family. I consider myself to have been very blessed to take many courses on American history from the best!
bookmark
Uh... for the same reason they DO TEACH The Communist Manifesto.
The Federalists were against it, reasoning amongst other things, that by listing specific rights in the Constitution was a bad idea, as it could some day be argued that only these rights existed. They were right. See conservative arguments against a "right to privacy".
The Federal Farmer argued for the amendments, arguing among other things, that without these amendments, the government would assume powers not in evidence, and would trample their hard-fought freedoms underfoot. I believe our history shows how right they were. Heck, just look how far the government violates the phrase "shall not be infringed" of the second amendment, and imagine what gun rights would be like without it. Better yet, a look at Britain can show where English common law can take you, absent a written Constitution without a bill of rights.
So, while they both had their points, both groups have, over time been proven to be both right and wrong in their arguments. I'm glad that the Federalists didn't win the day as it regards the first ten amendments (originally 12 were proposed). A proper appreciation of our history requires that both sides be recognised and studied. Obviously the amendments weren't the only bone of contention between the two groups of writers. On some issues, the Federalists prevailed, on some the Anti-Federalists held the line. It took both groups, and others to make our Republic what it was. I think it's a shame that the Letters from a Federal Farmer have been even more forgotten than the Federalist Papers have been.
Great learning thread bump
Hitler said that if he could get Germany’s children, he’d have them for life. Hitler’s dead but the NEA lives on.
Ping.
bttt
bump for later
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Actually, I can understand this, as it requires a unique, dedicated class, that if properly done would almost have to be a college upper division course in political science.
A familiarization course at high school level would best be done as multimedia video set on DVD. The first three DVDs would just be historical, philosophical and legal background, from Roman Law to Common Law, the Magna Carta, the Renaissance and the British Empire legal system, the Age of Enlightenment, and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution.
A lot of the ideas and concepts came out of the Age of Enlightenment philosophers in particular, so there would need to be a review, the highlights of Adam Smith, John Locke, etc.
Then there would have to be an extended description of Colonial America, including its wars, battles, immigration, growth, and development into a separate country, disconnected from European affairs in many ways.
The French and Indian War followed by Pontiac’s War were some of the most vicious, bloodthirsty affairs, and fundamental to the backgrounds of the founding fathers.
With this as the context, the Federalist Papers and the anti-Federalist Papers as well, becoming incredibly important documents for the creation of our nation, and explain why the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution were so intensely debated.
Importantly, the last DVD should then delve back into history. What happened after the revolution? Where did the revolution go? (from the French Revolution to the continent-wide revolutions of 1848). How did the founding fathers continue with their invested ideas?
And how did the Civil War change everything?
Later
It’s no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense. Mark Twain
Truth is mighty and will prevail. There is nothing wrong with this, except that it ain’t so. Mark Twain
It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Thomas Jefferson
Half a truth is often a great lie. Benjamin Franklin
Exaggeration is truth that has lost its temper. Khalil Gibran