In view of the last presidential election, I decided to see just how far we, as a nation, have strayed from the intentions of our founding fathers. First I read the Constitution of the United States then I read Thomas Paine.
This man must have been the greatest political writer of his time. His knowledge of the French and American revolutions, politics, economics, and human nature were simply astounding! Though I had a little trouble with the English of the day, I was able to understand his main points and make my own comparisons.
There is no doubt about his feelings for "hereditary government." The theme that the rights of future generations are taken away when their elders setup "forever" governments seems to be one of the main threads of his writing. He explains many of the faults of hereditary governments while extolling the benefits of a constitutional republic.
The importance of having a government that can change with the times to fit the needs of the present while being able to allow for the future is another strong thread in his writing. This thread strengthens his argument in favor of the constitutional republic.
While I may or may not agree with the results of our recent elections, Paine has certainly helped me me understand why they turned out the way they did. "The more perfect the civilization is, the less occasion it has for Government, because the more it does regulate its own affairs, and govern itself..." Could it be the American people are tired of big government? Do Americans feel since government grew under the party of less government they need to see if the other party can do better?
On speaking of war, Paine says, "Why are not Republics plunged into war, but because the nature of their Government does not admit of an interest distinct from that of the Nation?....Instead, therefore, of exclaiming against the ambition of Kings, the exclamation should be directed against the principle of such Governments; and instead of seeking to reform the individual, the wisdom of a Nation should apply itself to reform the system."
I recommend this book to anyone who is seriously trying to understand our system of government. In order to understand where we are going, we must understand how we got to where we are.
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