CNN poll: Most say Founding Fathers wouldn't be impressed

CNN ^ | 07/07/2008 | CNN Poll

[WorkingClassFilth]

I am extremely proud to be an American. What I am not proud of is the way our government has traveled down the same path that tyrants always take - ‘for the good of the people.’

I read the Declaration of Independence this morning to the family and we discussed ways in which parallels exist today - fortunately, the Declaration also makes the valid call for justified revolution.

America isn’t gone, yet.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Not quite. In fact, a major rant against slavery was deleted from Jefferson's rough draft of the Declaration. He also freed his own slaves...

[WorkingClassFilth]

I am solidly conservative, and I do not think the Founders would be happy with the America of 2008, but it is ENTIRELY due to the socialism, perversion, racism and class warfare advocated by the Democrats and their LeftMedia.

Best comment of the day - so far. I agree completely.

[Yaelle]

I think the Founding Fathers would not be shocked at the moral weaknesses today, either in the general public OR in the leadership of the country they created.

They knew it would happen. It's been happening since civilization began (it was going on with the Israelites Moses was trying to lead!!), and it surely happened in their time as well.

What they would say, if they could speak to us today, is, "RISE UP, those of you who understand! Dare to risk everything in order to make sure you guard this precious freedom for another 250 years! Good men doing nothing WILL NOT WORK, and we see that now your distractions are twenty times what the lazy fellows had in our day! Gather, give speeches, use these new methods of communications to EDUCATE people about what we did, and what is still to do! Your backsides grow wide and comfortable! ARISE! INFORM! INSPIRE!"

"Oh, and stop letting people muck up our National Anthem! Sing it straight, lads!"

[Yaelle]

The future of America rests on the role the Supreme Court will play in restoring the Founders' understanding of life and liberty.

Beautiful sentence and truth is worth retelling.

[oyez]

The poll seem to be a lot of fluff. The specific reasons the Founders would find at fault would be an extreme interest.

Like Social Security: An obvious power and money play by Roosevelt & Co. The people are the definite looser. They say Social Security is in trouble. Is it any wonder? Any workable solution takes the money away from the government. Because the government has the power it will have a death grip on the cash.

Income tax. A sound reason for rebellion.

Public Education: What the Hell is that? Too much Federal involvement. Educating is a local function.

Treasury: What wappened to the gold standard?

Federal Highways: Should be toll roads and act independently of the federal government.

Federal Regulations: Slow suicide!

Etc.

[calex59]

I think our founding fathers would advocate that we stage another revolution, armed, against the liberal idiots who control the country today. They are ruining the country and sapping our freedom. They, the founders, would bi*** slap us and tells us to get off our a**es and do something about the fungus that we have allowed to take over.

[RightWhale]

The Founding Fathers, if they could see the country now, would be stuned. They would have to spend a couple days on FR to get a clue what is going on, and then a couple months travelling across the country before forming their opinions.

[hinckley buzzard]

Americans "didn't always feel that way," according to Keating Holland, CNN polling director. "In 2001, 54 percent thought that the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be pleased with the state of the country today."

It looks like Americans have wised up a bit since 2001. The fact is that the Founders would be outraged mostly at the welfare nanny state. Most liberals are totally oblivious to this fact. Libs have absolutely no clue as to what the Founders intended even though they were prolific and literate and left us many writings.

[tflabo]

Probably they would be shocked by the size of the Federal Govt, the level of taxation and regulation imposed on the citizens and the activist judges making law from the bench
and moving away from the tenets of the US Constitution.

[FlingWingFlyer]

After the Constitutional Convention had finished its work in 1787, a woman asked Ben Franklin what kind of government had been decided upon. He replied: "A republic, if you can keep it."

Unfortunately, most people inhabiting this country these days do not understand the meaning of what Franklin was saying. They continue to confuse the more chaotic and mob-like democracy with a republic.

[Earthdweller]

I wonder if they would be equally as shocked to see what Britain has become.The world socialist party taking over Europe and the self destruction taking place in Canada.

Ours are some very trying times.

[yankeedame]

Though I have no clue as to your physical appearance, for some reason, try as a might I simply can not see you in the roll of James Madison.

Madison was a small, fine-boned, high strung, intelligent, passionate to the cause, intense, and clear sighted but he was also "fussy" about getting those ducks in a row and concerning his health; and he was somewhat shy; socially awkward; fretful; and his dependence on Jefferson --and to an extent his wife Dolley -- shows he needed someone stronger.

You may laugh, but having gotten to know you via your posts all these years, I just can't see these Madison traits in you. OTOH, I think you would make a magnificent John Marshall.

Just my

[oh8eleven]

The Founding Fathers, if they could see the country now, would be stuned.
That's hugh and sounds series to me.

[mikrofon]

If you asked many people now, what phrase with the initials ‘FF’ represented the basis for our country’s greatness, sadly they would say “Federal Funding”...

[Congressman Billybob]

Your point is well taken. When I mentioned the idea at an author's group that meets weekly, both my wife and a lady friend of ours immediately said I'd have to lose 100 pounds and wear flats. I said, "Thanks a lot."

That's part of why I went into Franklin in the start on the script. If I switch my persona to Ben Franklin, it'll just be a matter of losing some hair and having the clothes made. LOL.

John / Billybob

[Vince Ferrer]

I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion.
- Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
- Thomas Jefferson

I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.
- Thomas Jefferson

If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour?
- Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
- Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
- Thomas Jefferson

[rabidralph]

These open-ended polls are just the stupidest way to spin the news. Of course, none of us are happy with those things you mentioned and this type of poll makes it seem that everyone hates their own country when nothing is farther from the truth. “Are you satisfied with the direction the country is headed?” Another poll question, which is skewed the same way. Stupid, liberal press.

[3AngelaD]

The 69 percent who say the Founders were be disappointed are the ones who consistently watch CNN. Go figure. When was the last time CNN broadcast anything positive about this country and its accomplishments? When was the last time CNN even acknowledged there is anything positive about our country? Let’s face it: CNN hates this country. It isn’t Socialist enough, or weak enough or craven enough for the likes of people who work at and run CNN. So, as I said, go figure.

[ArmyTeach]

Actually, somewhere I heard that our Founding Fathers, TJ included, actually expected that there would be an actual revolution periodically... “ A little revolution now and then is a good thing.”