The Conservative Trump Card

Some food for thought, I like it. I would say that you are correct. The words of the Founders today seem a stretch. But consider when others quote the Constitution or the Founders, I would say (from my perception) that they are doing so out of a sense of duty and protection. We voters have some power, but not enough to sway Congress apparently, from trying to alter an original document/government system that works fairly well.
Back then for the Founders, it wasn't about the power grab and perhaps as silly as it sounds...people using such quotes and simpicities are just wishing it would be more about the people and still somewhat based closer to the Constitution's original intent. Do you get what I mean...sometimes I am not very good at getting it out...It may be Pollyanna-ish of me...But it's only because that is what I would like to see. Fred Thomspon is a great example of not showing his desire to be President as if it is not so much the power(like Hitlary, Obama, Edwards)...is that the media or the way he wants it? Also, for as much as everyone thinks Bush is all about power...he has said many times, that it is the about people and if he were never elected that would have been fine, his world would not shatter. Just my two.

Some food for thought, I like it. I would say that you are correct. The words of the Founders today seem a stretch. But consider when others quote the Constitution or the Founders, I would say (from my perception) that they are doing so out of a sense of duty and protection. We voters have some power, but not enough to sway Congress apparently, from trying to alter an original document/government system that works fairly well.
Back then for the Founders, it wasn't about the power grab and perhaps as silly as it sounds...people using such quotes and simpicities are just wishing it would be more about the people and still somewhat based closer to the Constitution's original intent. Do you get what I mean...sometimes I am not very good at getting it out...It may be Pollyanna-ish of me...But it's only because that is what I would like to see. Fred Thomspon is a great example of not showing his desire to be President as if it is not so much the power(like Hitlary, Obama, Edwards)...is that the media or the way he wants it? Also, for as much as everyone thinks Bush is all about power...he has said many times, that it is the about people and if he were never elected that would have been fine, his world would not shatter. Just my two.

Thanks for your comment. I appreciate whenever someone reads my blog and thinks about what I have written.

Unfortunately work is consuming all my attention at the moment, so I can't give your reply the time it deserves. So please accept my apologies for not replying right away and my assurances that I will reply properly as soon as work and family allows me to do so.

Thanks for your comment. I appreciate whenever someone reads my blog and thinks about what I have written.

Unfortunately work is consuming all my attention at the moment, so I can't give your reply the time it deserves. So please accept my apologies for not replying right away and my assurances that I will reply properly as soon as work and family allows me to do so.

Is everything posting twice? I thought I submitted, but then saw the window still open with the comment, figured I didn't hit the button... and I guess it just left the window open after the first submission. How very, very odd.

To reply properly:

I agree that the Founders are quoted for the two reasons you suggest, both a respect for their thoughts and a sort of nostalgia for the more idealist politicians of the early republic. And I can even agree with that. I have the utmost respect for the Founders, and do think they were much more motivated by a sense of duty than personal profit. Then again, many of today's most harmful liberals are also motivated by idealism, not personal gain, and we see how dangerous they can be. (And, to be honest, a few of the Founders were in it for themselves to one degree or another. Aaron Burr comes to mind.)

In fact, my appreciation has expanded, if anything. When I was younger, and more under the sway of Rand-type thinking, I was enamored of the Jefferson- Madison- Monroe faction, but found much to complain about on the Hamilton- Washington- Adams side. As I get older (and hopefully just a little wiser) I can see much to admire on the Federalist side as well. And I can see the weakness of some of the Democratic- Republican arguments. Of course, I currently admire Jackson quite a bit, and still think the Bank of the United States was a huge mistake, so I guess I still come down more anti-Federalist than not, but I still have a more balanced view than I did.

So I do think I can understand the motives in quoting the Founders, and I appreciate them. My only complaint is that many seem to think that by quoting the founders they can win any debate. (Kind of like those who insist on telling everyone we live in a constitutional republic in order to try to show up their opponent.) I admire the founders, but their words just shouldn't prevent us from arguing about the system they left behind them.

Thanks for your comment again, and sorry it took me so long to reply. Please come back, I hope to have more for you to read very soon.

Reagan wasn't perfect either. Can we stop with invoking his name as if it were a magical chant/

I will sign on with that. I have heard far too many people throw out "Well Reagan cut and run from Lebanon" as justification for surrender in Iraq.

Sorry, but Reagan is not perfect either. I admire much of what the man did, but he is hardly flawless. Nor do I think I need to endorse each and every action.

In fact, let us just posit that no one is without flaw, and though we may cite authorities to justify our position, those citations need to backed up with proof just as if we made the statement ourselves. The reflected glory of the source should make no quote immune from being questioned.

So, yes, I am with you on Reagan as well.

And I am ashamed to say my slightly increased traffic has actually made me forget my normal courtesy. I had made a rule in the past of personally thanking every poster, or at least every first time poster. Now I get a few quotes a day and I let that discipline slip. It is a bit embarrassing.

So, please forgive me for not saying this first:

Thanks for coming to the site and taking time to reply. I appreciate every comment, and also those who read but don't see a need to reply.

And, as your comment actually made sense, I appreciate it more than some.

Thank you for visiting, and I hope you come back to read more, as I try to post every other day at least.