The reason for the fascination with this period of history is that it mirrors current events almost precisely.
The core of it is the Hamilton/Jefferson arguments. Hamilton argued for a ruling class, an aristocracy, because only they have the knowledge to do the job; while Jefferson argued that we needed the smallest possible gov't and that it should reflect the will of the people, to which he continuously bent and catered to. Hamilton wanted a strong military, and Jefferson wanted no military at all. The story is fraught with ironies and Hamilton's demise was nothing less then a classic Greek tragedy. His career was destroyed by adultery and his life ended defending his honor against a scoundrel, yet it was he who played the largest role in making real our Constitution and creation of a strong gov't in Washington. The only monument to Hamilton's existence is a small tomb near Wall Street. Jefferson became President and has a suitable monument in Washington. In those days, it was the Federalists (Hamilton) versus the Republicans (Jefferson). In just one of the ironies, Hamilton divided and thus destroyed the Federalists, which re-emerged as today's Republicans, and the Republicans of the time transformed into today's Democrats (in theory, not practice). What makes this history so relevant today is that while the dichotomy appeared to be resolved at the time by Jefferson's victory and Hamilton's defeat, the tables have since turned and today we have the very ruling class gov't that Hamilton argued for - and Jefferson against. Who really was right? It was Jefferson. The largest reason is this: Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely. No person and no ruling class can escape this truth. Despite all of Hamilton's great and compelling arguments, we are *all* mere humans subject to this truth and the frailties of our condition. Indeed, it was the ironies of Hamilton's own life and fate that provide as compelling testimony as can be found. The lesson we at once ignore, but cannot ignore, is that we cannot trust in a ruling class, no matter how smart, well educated and cultivated they may be, because to do so is to once again flaunt this truth - and once again suffer the consequences. It is the providence of Jeffersonian democracy, based on the will of the people, that on balance will yield the better decisions and a more durable, lasting, and equitable society - despite all of the shortcomings in education that Hamilton so strenuously and reasonably argued against - that we must secure - again. In the years since this argument was thought to have been settled, the practitioners of Hamilton's philosophy have grown steady but stealthily stronger, and today his ruling class has gained control, and it has become corrupted. Most importantly, it has conspired and launched a war to satisfy it's insatiable appetite for power. It's propaganda machine has convinced people that because their war is being contained to the other side of the world and is being fought by 'volunteers' that our lives, liberties and pursuit of happiness are unaffected by their mission. We believe their nonsense that "homeland security" is working and therefore we have not been attacked again, but you know - and I know - in our heart of hearts that the growing number of enemies our rulers have created are perfectly capable of striking us whenever and wherever they choose. Must we wait for that shoe to drop, and then find ourselves with no choice but to rally to the battle cries these rulers are sure to issue - or can we snap out of this neurosis? Neurosis happens to a person when he/she believes in conflicting opposites. On the one hand we know in our hearts that the killing and destruction our rulers are causing is fundamentally wrong, yet our primary source of information, owned and controlled by these rulers, showers us continuously with "compelling evidence" to the contrary. Because we believe both, we are unable to act decisively, even though we can all see the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. Hamilton was wrong and Jefferson was right. Jefferson correctly won at the time, but his vision has since been stolen right out from under us. We must put it back! Bill _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
