Since Sunday night many of us have been thinking more of the lack of freedom we will experience after the Health Care catastrophe plays out. But I won't go into that, as I think Jonny is brewing up a post on that subject-among other things.
And speaking of Jonny, he is the main reason the Founding Fathers are on my mind. Over the past few months Jonny has caught a bug that has him pondering, studying, and discussing the Constitutional Rights we all hold, or should hold, as Americans. He suggested I read Cleon Skousen's The 5000 Year Leap to better familiarize myself with the basic principles of our inspired Constitution. And man, was that document ever inspired. I won't go into detail about it, but I will recommend this book to every American. I don't know why I hadn't read it sooner.
There was a time when all Americans were extremely well-versed in the tenets of the US Political System and their direct roles in it. This quote from Alexis de Tocqueville demonstrates that:
"In New England every citizen receives the elementary notions of human knowledge. He is taught, moreover, the doctrines and evidences of his religion, the history of his country, and the leading features of its constitution. In the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts, it is extremely rare to find a man imperfectly acquainted with all these things. And a person wholly ignorant of them is a sort of a phenomenon."
"In New England every citizen receives the elementary notions of human knowledge. He is taught, moreover, the doctrines and evidences of his religion, the history of his country, and the leading features of its constitution. In the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts, it is extremely rare to find a man imperfectly acquainted with all these things. And a person wholly ignorant of them is a sort of a phenomenon."
Sadly, the opposite is true today. That's why I am learning all I can about my role in America and what should be the Governments's very limited role. How very far we have strayed.
P.S. Thanks to a recommendation from my mom, I am currently reading Wild Swans by Jung Chang. It's the true story of three generations of women in communist China. I am learning even more about the liberties we enjoy as Americans. Here's to striving to revive and preserve the basic freedoms our Founding Fathers laid out for us in this exceptional country. This "Grand Experiment" is not over. America is not lost. Yet.
P.S. Thanks to a recommendation from my mom, I am currently reading Wild Swans by Jung Chang. It's the true story of three generations of women in communist China. I am learning even more about the liberties we enjoy as Americans. Here's to striving to revive and preserve the basic freedoms our Founding Fathers laid out for us in this exceptional country. This "Grand Experiment" is not over. America is not lost. Yet.
6 comments:
Could I borrow that book, if you have it?
Cameron and I are thinking of putting together a "Constitution study group". We want to see if there is any interest from people around here. Would you and Jonny be interested in participating if we started something like that?
Yes, I need to get that book out pronto!
Mel I hope you like Wild Swans, it is an amazing book!
Find a local 9-12 group. the one in our neighborhood meets bi-weekly studying 1-2 chapters in the 5000-Year Leap each time. Next you should read Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin. We have it; you can borrow.
Yay, yay, yay. I am so pleased that you are learning about this glorious exceptional country. We will only maintain our freedom through constant vigilence. There are so many good books that tell the true story. And some good DVDs. May I suggest Mark Levine's Liberty and Tyranny, David Barton's documentary America's Godly Heritage and his book Original Intent (both available for borrowing). Keep up the good work!
P.S. I read Wild Swans months ago and I can't get it out of my mind. A must-read.
Post a Comment