Posted on 04/22/2010 7:45:56 AM PDT by Publius
I always have a desire to enter these threads, absorb it, learn from it and comment on it, but I often enter, skim, and depart without commenting.
If I had to guess, there are more people like me who feel as I do, and interact the same way for many of the same reasons. (Note that I don't feel that any of these "excuses" reflect at all negatively on these threads. Rather, they probably reflect negatively on my focus or priorities...which although negative, are realities for me...)
1.) As another poster stated (and I have seen lots of these) it is a subject of vast width and breadth. Appropriately so. But, even for someone such as myself who has taken the time to build at least a historical base for discussion by reading Joseph Story's "A Familiar Exposition of the Constitution of The United States", the subject is daunting.
2.) It is difficult to find the time to absorb the discussion, some of which is fact, some of which is opinion, and some of which is somewhat unrelated (as is this post...with my apologies) I love the recent threads of this nature, particularly the one focused on "Atlas Shrugged", a book I have read five times and listened to twice, but even with my ingrained knowledge of the book, it is difficult to have an hour or occasionally two for posting, and be able to allocate time both to read and to formulate postings.
3.) I personally dislike jumping into a thread to make a comment, only to learn that I am unintentionally turning back the momentum of a thread by reiterating posts, repointing out facts, or generally just bombing the rubble, so to speak. I have found that people are pretty understanding in this respect, but it makes me feel like I haven't done my homework.
4.) It has been my experience that there are many "conservatives" who are not as interested in the finer points of the Constitution, and are satisfied to trust in the wisdom of the framers to have pointed us in the right direction. I find some of that in me as well, but I temper it with the fact that unless the Constitution is followed, it is simply a piece of paper somewhere. And that is why I do try to learn more about the details of it. But I fear there are too many conservatives who fail to see not only the strength and weakness of the document, but are blind to the open attacks on it, which are lately like running water in a fast moving river eroding the supporting foundations of a bridge. This is, I think, the biggest danger to our republic: the fact that our own government completely (and at a seemingly accelerated rate) disregards the Constitution, and is never called on it. Health care 'reform" is one example, the bailouts are another example, and for years, Campaign Finance Reform was something that should never have passed muster.
As Publius has correctly stated, these threads will be here for a long time. And there is always time to come back to it, for this it is a great service to all of us to have it here for reference. But I agree with Bigun, and am as guilty as others in this respect: Free Republic is a forum that is not just suited to this particular task, but is MADE for it. We should all use it more in that respect, something I plan to try to do.
I agree with you that FR is made for something like this. Sooner or later, I hope people will see the benefits of these threads and come in to participate.
And certainly I would agree!
Glad to know that you are here and that there are others as well. I certainly understand that the demands on one's time these days are many and that one must do what he has to do in order to fulfill them all.
Please do not hesitate to comment at any time however. That is what this place is all about!
His premise is flawed. More men have been murdered in the name of the public good than for all other reasons combined. Once we license government to do whatever it believes is in the public good, we sign our own death warrants.C.S. Lewis described it best:
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
Virginia Charter 1621: “to settle such a Form of Government there, as may be to the greatest Benefit and Comfort of the People, and whereby all Injustice, Grievances, and Oppression may be prevented.”
Pennsylvania Constitution 1776 “That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection and security of the people”
The ultimate object of the state is the good life. - Artistotle.
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.”
James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1791
I agree with him!
Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Virginia Q.XIX, 1782. ME 2:230
Have you looked at one of those red and blue maps showing a county by county break down of the vote in several of our most recent presidential elections lately?
William Pitt
23 Men of this character are generally artful and designing, and frequently possess brilliant talents and abilities; they commonly act in concert and agree to share the spoils of their country among them; they will keep their object ever in view and follow it with constancy.
24 To effect their purpose, they will assume any shape and – Proteus-like – mold themselves into any form.
25 Where they find members’ proof against direct bribery or gifts of offices, they will endeavor to mislead their minds by specious and false reasoning, to impose upon their unsuspecting honesty by an affectation of zeal for the public good; they will form juntos and hold outdoor meetings; they will operate upon the good nature of their opponents by a thousand little attentions and tease them into compliance by the earnestness of solicitation.”
The vast amount of juggling that has gone on in Congress for a very long time has amounted to little more than vote buying by squandering the taxes of the people.
I often read without posting...for the simple reason that I would sound like a frothing seething mad woman.
I shake my head in amazement at times watching news commentary that individuals can keep their cool, speak eloquently while the liberals are screaming at them.
I often feel like I need to have my blood pressure checked while reading this thread.
I lived in one of those blue areas that was so degenerated that they named it New Jersey. South Florida has its share of tyrannical wannabes, but it also has a healthy population of individuals who see government as something to be controlled, not to be controlled by. Besides, the rest of the state keeps the stupid liberals in line.
You’re going to need blood pressure medication after reading Federalist #15.
I just may start drinking..
Thanks for the warning.
Isn't that like saying the purpose of a free government is the purpose of a free government?
It begs the question---what are the proper functions of a free government? One can't write a constitution without first answering that question.
I don't think Brutus was advocating that the language of the Constitution should give a government the power to "pass laws for the public good." Far from it. See his commentary on the preamble, for example.
New Jersey isn't as bad as it seems. Look at the county election map of the last few presidential elections. The urban areas overwhelm us in numbers, but there are many fine areas in NJ. I live in such an area, and our congresscritter, Scott Garrett, is one of the best in the House.
I might add we've gotten ourselves a pretty good governor.
The authors of a constitution can put whatever they want in the constitution.
I lived in Garret’s district the whole time I lived in New Jersey (39 years). He was certainly a welcome addition to an otherwise pinheaded congressional delegation. I also had the pleaseure of dealing with Bob Littel, Hank McNamara, and Gerry Cardinale at different times. All good men, and outnumbered by gang of morons. Christie sounds like presidential material.
Unfortunately, New Jersey remains in the throes of mental midgets like Loretta Weinberg and the communist propaganda front at North Jersey Newspapers. Good luck with them. Maybe if Christie got elected president, they’d all have strokes at the same time.
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