Bruce, my learned friend, I hear you but.....
I thought we were discussing the question of the "true meaning of America." Which, as you'll recall, I protrayed as a nation "created by men who understood that in order for men to "pursue happiness," it was also necessary to free them from the tyranny of oppressive power, whether that power was the power of the strongest elements of society, the police power of the governemnt or, in some instances where religious or other deeply important rights were involved, even the power of the majority."
In that context, I don't believe you "suggested" anything; you merely asked me which founding fathers' words supported my point and when they said it. I supported my view by referring to the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, and I suggested that early legislation and thoughtful judicial opinions would support that thesis, as do most constitutional law theorists. I admitted that I hadn't researched further, but suggested that if you did look it up and thought I was wrong, I'd be happy to discuss it.
In addition, I never suggested that the ideas of our founding fathers were novel. I believe that the Greeks and and many others explored and developed these concepts. Our forefathers, however, had the wisdom to exercise POWER to implement a system that effectively restrained power. That was novel, I believe.
I'll ask you what I tried to ask Dabum; what is it that you see as central to the concept of "America?" When you think of America what is it that makes you swell with pride, gratitude and appreciation? I don't think it's our real estate, some intrinsic goodness of our people, or something in the water, so what is it? Ed |
