There is so much complexity in history (and in current events), and so much of what happens is subject to interpretation, by so many - we need some simple guidelines, some basic rules (some commandments?) as a truth reference (what is right, and just, and possible, and beneficial). The American Constitution and Declaration of Independence represents our best shot at such, so far . . and yet they are so under appreciated?
Thank you! So do I. And, the voters too. I hear the same argument too often- Jefferson was a slave owner - he's a horrible person to own slaves so he is tossed out without even reading, and it's not only from some of the kids I've talked to, but even some friends my age who think that way.
Yah, I agree it is the best way so far, but it would be a lot better if we followed it better! But, I'll always wonder where we would be had we amended the Articles of the Confederation instead.
I agree that the AoC had weaknesses that could have/should have been amended, but I don't know if the fact that the Confederacy following the AoC would prove it was ineffective b/c the Confederacy was also fighting to maintain slavery - which was a losing battle, especially in the mid 19th century.
Agreed, the Confederacy had quite a number of issues: chattel slavery, population dearth compared to the North, lack of manufacturing, etc. I’m suggesting that the AoC governance was additional sand in the gears. ;)
It's an interesting discussion and on the flip side, would we have the vast corruption of the federal government that we have today, had we not created that central power?
Even with a smaller government, we had a “spoils system” where the new on-coming administration removed all the current federal employees to reward their supporters with federal jobs. :(
Yes, I’d like to see much less government, less waste, less oversight that doesn’t provide useful guidance, et cetera.
There is so much complexity in history (and in current events), and so much of what happens is subject to interpretation, by so many - we need some simple guidelines, some basic rules (some commandments?) as a truth reference (what is right, and just, and possible, and beneficial). The American Constitution and Declaration of Independence represents our best shot at such, so far . . and yet they are so under appreciated?
This was a great essay
I wish that leadership today had half the common sense and intelligence of Jefferson
Thank you! So do I. And, the voters too. I hear the same argument too often- Jefferson was a slave owner - he's a horrible person to own slaves so he is tossed out without even reading, and it's not only from some of the kids I've talked to, but even some friends my age who think that way.
Yah, I agree it is the best way so far, but it would be a lot better if we followed it better! But, I'll always wonder where we would be had we amended the Articles of the Confederation instead.
The Confederacy followed the Articles of Confederation as their governing principles and arguably showed the weakness of the AoC yet again. ;)
I agree that the AoC had weaknesses that could have/should have been amended, but I don't know if the fact that the Confederacy following the AoC would prove it was ineffective b/c the Confederacy was also fighting to maintain slavery - which was a losing battle, especially in the mid 19th century.
Thanks for reading!
Agreed, the Confederacy had quite a number of issues: chattel slavery, population dearth compared to the North, lack of manufacturing, etc. I’m suggesting that the AoC governance was additional sand in the gears. ;)
It's an interesting discussion and on the flip side, would we have the vast corruption of the federal government that we have today, had we not created that central power?
Even with a smaller government, we had a “spoils system” where the new on-coming administration removed all the current federal employees to reward their supporters with federal jobs. :(
Yes, I’d like to see much less government, less waste, less oversight that doesn’t provide useful guidance, et cetera.