Elephant On The Coffee Table : The Truth Americans Won't Face

Too Good Reports ^ | February 12, 2002 | Paul E. Scates

[week 71]

Great article! Unfortunately I feel most Americans are sufficiently dumbed down to have a desire to participate in our representative republic. Many, guided by their emotions, only have an affinity toward leaders who make them feel good.

[sandydipper]

200 years ago being in politics was NOT considered a profession. You were voted into Congress AND you were a farmer/plumber. You served a month in government and you come home and planted. Honorable people.

Todays poliiticians spend most of their time getting re-elected and they pass laws that help special interest or themselves. Money is the grease that keeps Government well lubricated - NOT the interest of the Republic.

Do not vote for an incumbent.

[billbears]

I'm as patriotic as the next guy... but I don't worship the words of our founding fathers... and I don't believe they were inspired of God. And I believe that writing about all men being created equal and owning slaves is hypocritical.

Exactly what does that have to do with the argument of Senators and a constitutional republic? Surely you're not recommending that this farce of a voting system is better than what the Founders had in mind are you? People today vote with their feelings, how the candidate looks, and if they get a chance to remember at the last minute, what the candidate actually believes and how it fits with their belief system. Pure unbridled decmocracy is a joke and an affront to the memories of the men who founded this nation and what it was supposed to stand for. The 17th Amendment took the power out of the hands of the state houses and put it into the mass called the people, who for the most part are easier to lead than sheep over a cliff.

The only time the Constitution is used is to remember the Bill of Rights and that's it. Who cares what the body of the document says, how it is supposed to limit the federal government, and what the actual powers of the POTUS and the Congress are. Instead it's almost like it's some myth, held above the heads of the people, most who have not even read it. If they had, there would be a lot more folks upset

[philman_36]

One glaring fact that is never mentioned in this screed:
Funny, you don't criticize what is said, you cover something that doesn't even appear to be on topic.
Here...something to ease your pain. Education in America
Excerpted from Samuel L. Blumefield's book NEA: Trojan Horse in American Education.

[MortMan]

And I believe that writing about all men being created equal and owning slaves is hypocritical.

So, I assume you do not believe in the contextual interpretation of events? Let's say, for instance, that a WWII vet is asked "Have you ever killed a man?". Should the veteran's admission that he has be considered prima facie evidence of murder, or should the context of the death be established? (i.e.: Was it in battle?)

Regardless of your personal feelings about Jefferson, you need to admit that, under the societal rules of the time, if he had simply released his slaves they would have been captured and sold to some other owner. Instead, he treated them (from all reports I have seen) more like family than property. THAT was a serious statement on his part in support of his belief in equality of all men... To treat "slaves" as people was damned near heretical.

[Taxman]

Good find. Excellent read.

Wake up, America!

[WhiteGuy]

There are many who will knowingly contribute to the erosion of our nation

by simply voting for whom ever has an "r" after their name on the ballot.

[philman_36]

Context, context, context!

[NoCurrentFreeperByThatName]

We — you and I — the American electorate, have allowed the political process to become the farce it now is. Do you think this mess is what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they risked their ‘lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor´ to create this free republic? That we´d complacently allow ourselves to be ruled over by demagogues like Trent Lott, Tom Daschle and John McCain? Do you think Jefferson, Madison or Henry would so meekly accept the hypocrisy of Ted Kennedy, Diane Feinstein or those other ‘honorable´ Senators?

Damn good read. Thanks for the flag.

[Stand Watch Listen]

Are you trying to tell me something?

Wish I could reveal these 'truths' to our general populace.

[TightSqueeze]

In his famous ‘liberty´ speech, Founding Father Patrick Henry said, ‘Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.´

Should be revised and updated for 2000 by changing to…”and to take advantage of it” In a free market environment that is not rigged, you must either work diligently to succeed or you will be swept away and left floundering. Today’s government protection racket and preferred citizen status allows some to prosper who neither reap nor sow but simply to live off the excess. We can’t all take part in this as the system would indeed come crashing down but for those of us who are on the inside life is grand.

[lodwick]

Good job - very well done. Thanks.

[Arthur McGowan]

Why should I criticize what is said? I agree with all of it.

[Don Myers]

We are probably lucky these idiots don't vote.

[philman_36]

Why should I criticize what is said?
Because of the expression you used when you called it a "screed". It is usually used in a derogatory manner, not in a complimentary fashion.
I agree with all of it.
My apologies for misperceiving your intent.

[Movemout]

Bump for freedom! Gunner, Heat, Tank! Up ! Identified! FIRE!

[DugwayDuke]

While you are correct about direct election of Senators, you missed the connection to the 16th amendment. Prior to the enactment of direct elections and direct federal taxation, the federal government had to appeal to state legislatures for funding. These states then had to levy taxes to support the federal requests. It was the job of the senators selected by the states to ensure the state did not get a tax bill from the federal government. You must repeal both these amendments to achieve your objective.