Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Classical Liberal Defense Of The Constitution
Forbes ^ | 01/24/2012 | Bill Flax

Posted on 01/24/2012 5:25:09 PM PST by billflax

“Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.” – Lord Acton

Americans have long been blessed. We’ve never been perfect but this cynical, politically correct age tends to harp more on our deficiencies than highlight the astounding prosperity that a generally free society brought. Today, some of our youth assume wealth their birthright while disparaging its capitalist wellspring.

America’s heritage was one of free markets with limited, constitutional government. Independence was born less from revolution than a defense of historic liberties based on innate, natural rights. The founding vision affirmed tradition by blending principle, experience and pragmatism.

The reality of America’s founding was not pristine, but imperfection is always and everywhere present because man is inherently flawed. Here, where markets and property were respected, people left free to pursue happiness prospered as none before through history.

(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: congress; constitution; corruption; obama; statesrights; taxes; teaparty; tyranny
Conservatives Must Work To Preserve The Constitution!
1 posted on 01/24/2012 5:25:13 PM PST by billflax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: billflax

The assault we are under did not just happen, it was taught.

Taught for now decades and well orchestrated in grade school, high school, college & university and academia, Americans, still, are found approving of their school down the street while continuing to do (1,2,3,4,....)not one damn thing.


2 posted on 01/24/2012 7:01:31 PM PST by RitaOK (LET 'ER RIP, NEWT. NEWT 2012 / Rick Bachmann=Tool of the RINO/Romney backers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: billflax
Yes, we must! First, however, we must see that its underlying principles are rediscovered and taught through every means available--schools, community study groups, book clubs, youth organizations, even church groups. If we do not, then the Constitution's foundations will continue to be eroded.

Justice Joseph Story's concluding remarks to his "Commentaries on the Constitution . . . .":

§ 1907. If these Commentaries shall but inspire in the rising generation a more ardent love of their country, an unquenchable thirst for liberty, and a profound reverence for the constitution and the Union, then they will have accomplished all, that their author ought to desire. Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and capable, if wisely improved, and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to their latest posterity all the substantial blessings of life, the peaceful enjoyment of liberty, property, religion, and independence. The structure has been erected by architects of consummate skill and fidelity; its foundations are solid; its compartments are beautiful, as well as useful; its arrangements are full of wisdom and order; and its defences are impregnable from without. It has been reared for immortality, if the work of man may justly aspire to such a title. It may, nevertheless, perish in an hour by the folly, or corruption, or negligence of its only keepers, THE PEOPLE. Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.

3 posted on 01/24/2012 7:23:50 PM PST by loveliberty2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: loveliberty2; RitaOK

Thanks to both of you for insightful comments!


4 posted on 01/24/2012 7:32:06 PM PST by billflax (Fighting the good fight.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: loveliberty2; billflax

Thank you, bill & liberty!

To this address of grievance, I would only add that the “teaching” going on over these now many decades taught us how to dilute our churches.

They are in the very same “fix” as the government, and yet it was the Church who preceded the founding of America, and its founders, just as it was the Church who preceded the Holy Bible. By now we been well taught to attend wherever we are best flattered by better flatters, who themselves hang on the threads of their various interpretations from one street corner to the next.

The Greatest Institution bears no resemblance whatsoever to the early Church, who had plenty of rogues, betrayers and schismatics itself. (Lucifer, Judas, etc., etc.,)


5 posted on 01/24/2012 7:47:08 PM PST by RitaOK (LET 'ER RIP, NEWT. NEWT 2012 / Rick Bachmann=Tool of the RINO/Romney backers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson