Remembering America’s forgotten founders, known as the “Anti-Federalists” who insisted that our cherished Bill of Rights must be included in America’s “new” Constitution.
I have never been aware of the fact that the ANTI-Federalist, Yates, started the discussion and AFTER this Hamilton wrote Federalist paper #1! Amazing.
Perhaps it is Yates we should thank for stirring the pot and our eventual Bill of Rights?
It does appear that his concern was actually for the potential for state governments to be completely dissolved in favor of an over-arching Federal Superstructure rather than state governments remaining in the picture.
Yates arguments do well to point to the real concerns of big bureaucracy, big shots taking the power and abusing it, and no way to remove or stop the abuse of the people. This DID come true.
However, I see no proposed structure of government that can be a reasonable alternative. It really is a conundrum!
So, maybe we need to go back to the drawing board using the Articles of Confederation as a guide? I do understand the argument that if only we would enforce the Constitution as it was written, but as we know, and as well as the Real Federalists (I don’t want to use the 18th century newspeak term of “Anti-Federalist”), a strong central government will always be a problem.
And he stands correct. I learned year’s ago that communities in excess of say 150k souls will become multifaceted, without that common interest that binds peoples together.
Definitely time to revisit the Anti-Federalists. Back in the mid 80's, I had a running debate with my high school history/govt teacher that the US would have been better off overall if we had gone with the Articles of Confederation.
I do wonder though how we would have stood up to the global nature of the economy, however. Still, I think given our vast natural resources and ocean borders, we would likely be better off in terms of present health and future sustainability--albeit less wealthy.
I have never been aware of the fact that the ANTI-Federalist, Yates, started the discussion and AFTER this Hamilton wrote Federalist paper #1! Amazing.
Perhaps it is Yates we should thank for stirring the pot and our eventual Bill of Rights?
It does appear that his concern was actually for the potential for state governments to be completely dissolved in favor of an over-arching Federal Superstructure rather than state governments remaining in the picture.
Yates arguments do well to point to the real concerns of big bureaucracy, big shots taking the power and abusing it, and no way to remove or stop the abuse of the people. This DID come true.
However, I see no proposed structure of government that can be a reasonable alternative. It really is a conundrum!
Yes, same thoughts here. Thanks for reading!
So, maybe we need to go back to the drawing board using the Articles of Confederation as a guide? I do understand the argument that if only we would enforce the Constitution as it was written, but as we know, and as well as the Real Federalists (I don’t want to use the 18th century newspeak term of “Anti-Federalist”), a strong central government will always be a problem.
Here’s my Modest Proposal: https://open.substack.com/pub/lizlasorte/p/a-modest-proposal-part-iv-amending?r=76q58&utm_medium=ios
Great Info. America has forgotten about all those who came before, so we could have a voice,
Thanks.
And he stands correct. I learned year’s ago that communities in excess of say 150k souls will become multifaceted, without that common interest that binds peoples together.
Definitely time to revisit the Anti-Federalists. Back in the mid 80's, I had a running debate with my high school history/govt teacher that the US would have been better off overall if we had gone with the Articles of Confederation.
I do wonder though how we would have stood up to the global nature of the economy, however. Still, I think given our vast natural resources and ocean borders, we would likely be better off in terms of present health and future sustainability--albeit less wealthy.
Thanks for reading and your comment. I've written a few articles about going back to the intent of the Articles of the Confederation.
Here's the most recent one: https://lizlasorte.substack.com/p/a-modest-proposal-part-iv-amending?r=76q58
Thank you for your work on this.
If I could have put a triple "like", I would have. My appreciation for your work.
Thank you!!🙏 ❤️