tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057487038565855826.post6656248940957495504..comments2024-02-21T08:52:55.878+00:00Comments on Your Freedom and Ours: July 4, 1776Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13799545178433498944noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057487038565855826.post-53842862565159878722014-07-04T19:58:39.303+01:002014-07-04T19:58:39.303+01:00Given their enthusiasm for exporting "Democra...Given their enthusiasm for exporting "Democracy" around the world, it is as well to remember that the American Founding Fathers were not all that keen on it. Being classically educated gentlemen, they knew how frequently it descended into demagoguery and dictatorship. So they built in lots of checks and balances. Senators, for instance, were originally men who commanded the support of their own state legislature and not elected by popular vote - almost like ambassadors from their states to keep an eye on central government (and with one senator to keep an eye on the other like the Consuls of the Roman republic).<br /><br />I have never found a satisfactory source of the following which is claimed to be by Benjamin Franklin. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the count".<br /><br />The Virginian, John Smith of Roanoke, was wary of "too democratical" a constitution for the Old Dominion "else we have but exchanged King George for King Numbers"<br /><br />So the constitution was "republican" rather than "democratic".<br /><br />Given the time and trouble they took to restrain the potential of democracy for evil, it is surprising how keen their successors have become to export it to places ruled by far less enlightened people.<br />Edward Spaltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04168350315689612490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4057487038565855826.post-59013048164200755692014-07-04T12:04:21.193+01:002014-07-04T12:04:21.193+01:00Helen, thanks for reminding us here in the US. Thi...Helen, thanks for reminding us here in the US. Things are reaching a boiling point.whitewallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03469746790747742992noreply@blogger.com