It might seem strange, but I think the elargement of the voting franchise sowed the seeds for the destruction of the republic.
It became a democracy then, and as the ancient Greeks taught us - eventually the plebs will decide to feed of the public trough, until their is no republic left to feed out of.
These thoughts might be heresay on FReerepublic, so in due order I might post an essay vanity on it XD
Have a good weekend, FRiend.
“It might seem strange, but I think the enlargement of the voting franchise sowed the seeds for the destruction of the republic.”
No not strange that is the basis of Republican Repreprensation Limited Government the founders came up with. Originally we had the land owners electing people to represent them. We had far less chance of people voting to use the power of government to steal for their own greed. Renters were not considered worthy of having achieved enough lot in life to be worthy of voting for elected officials. I still tend to agree with this. Do you really want your average trailer trash tattooed and pierced hanging pants father less Hoodlum voting for your leader?