Who Said It, And When??
Coulda / shoulda been said today...and should be said every day, by every elected public servant and fourth estaters.
Meeting in you a new congress, I deem it proper to present this view of public affairs in greater detail than might otherwise be necessary.Don't hesitate to offer names of the individual responsible for these words.
The people being with us exclusively the sovereign, it is indispensable that full information be laid before them on all important subjects, to enable them to exercise that high power with complete effect.
If kept in the dark, they must be incompetent to it.
We are liable to error, and those who are engaged in the management of public affairs are more subject to excitement, and to be led astray by their particular interests and passions, than the great body of our constituents, who living at home in the pursuit of their ordinary avocations, are calm but deeply interested of events, and of the conduct of those who are parties to them.
To the people, every Department of Government, and every individual in each, are responsible, and the more full their information, the better they can judge of the wisdom of the policy pursued, and of the conduct of each in regard to it.
From their dispassionate judgment, much aid may always be obtained, while their approbation will form the greatest incentive, and most gratifying reward for virtuous actions, and the dread of their censure the best security against the abuse of their confidence.
Their interests, in all vital questions, are the same, and the bond by sentiment, as well as by interest, will be proportionably strengthened as they are better informed of real state of public affairs, especially in difficult conjectures.
It is by such knowledge that local prejudices and jealousies are surmounted, and that a national policy, extending its fostering care and protection to all the great interests of our Union, is formed and steadily adhered to.
posted by don regan at 5:16 PM
7 Comments:
Who cares??? Hmmmm??? I detect possibly a bit of negativity??
You see no parallels to today?
Much of this speech resonating throughout our years as a Nation.
Your suggestion is quite good. Not Jefferson, but he knew of our 3rd President.
Thank You,
don
I would suggest Spectator ...
That you get an attitude readjustment, or go find a Happy Meter yourself. Your mean spiritedness and obnoxious attitude, does nothing for me or mine.
You don't appear to have an answer yourself for anything, nor sadly even willing to search for solutions.
I am merely taking this time to reply to you, so that others reading this blog, will know, what a complete loser, I think you truly are, if your comments throughout, are any indicator? I presume they are?
When it comes to leadership, you wouldn't know it anyway, but you might want to look it up. If you can get off the couch, and exert the positive energy?
In advance let me help you. Nowhere does it mention ... ugly mean-spirited person. Or perhaps you could lead those of like mind, or at least follow them. Consider it a practicum, or work release.
Perhaps, I misunderstand you, and this is merely a subtle strategy from a foxy mind, who is trying to intimidate and insult someone into taking a position, so you can attack. Kinda like a verbal bully.
So, I do agree you need leadership, but it would be best if you start with a definition, and then see if you can find a way to more constructively interact with your neighbors.
But I presume from the aka of "Spectator", you are more comfortable sitting on the side throwing (shall we say euphemistically) criticism, rather than contributing to anything in a positive or constructive manner.
I hate to mince words.
So, I hope you get my drift. Or, better yet, if you feel the desperate need to waste everybody’s time insulting them and me, then do it somewhere else, where you can’t be heard.
But thanks anyway for the replies.
Steve Schumann said... Monroe ...
You nailed it!!
Decemebr 2, 1893. In his annual speech to Congress, in which he outlined, what has since become known as (and as you probably know)the Monroe Doctrine.
But, his words recited here, from @112 years ago, in 1893, I think are sadly prophetic, and reflect our days now.
We must stay vigilant and active so as not to become dis-empowered by those who we emopower by electing them to represent us.
Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty.
Thus, in one way, and not perhaps the biggest way, Prop 77 is a huge stone in the walk, and must be cemented in place to protect we the people. There is much more that needs to be done to secure our voting rights as citizens.
It is THE VOTE, which is sacrosant, or there is no democracy, only aristocracy, oligarchy and facism.
Government is not reason, it is not eloquence- it is a force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
- George Washington -
... "A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on,the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."
"The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years.
During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From Bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into Bondage."
Thank You for your enlightened response, as you had made note, not all the players are always nice or even helpful.
It is always nice when playing ball not to be hit with the bat, or even the ball, for that matter.
I appreciate your time and comments.
don
Spectator, you say ...
" ... Why is this not taught in most of our schools? Should the parents be responsible for teaching this?..."
First, we have to ALL understand, there is a real problem here.
People do not understand at any deep intestinal - visceral level the real importance of the vote, voting or their vote.
Some may get it intellectually? And certainly it would be naive to think government has any interest in "we the people" voting. Their position is the less people who vote the better. Government wants us fat, sassy and immobilized with paranoia, and fear, in an environment where daily propoganda electronic or otherwise subsitutes for education. It is the most efficient way to govern. Read or reread Orwell sometime.
Remember, many of the teachers, are parents, perhaps like yourself.
So yes, we must all teach ourselves first, and then our children, that it is our vote that soley represents the act and basis of democracy, and our very liberty.
If you doubt that ask any Iraqi, with a purple index finger. They well know, and teach us, if we would only listen.
President James Monroe, December 1823 (thank you, Google)-- it's still timely advice
You are absolutley correct, we couldn't agree more.
Thank You
THANK YOU PATRICK ...
YOU ARE CORRECT, IT IS 1823, NOT 93. MY MISTAKE, WHICH I CAN ONLY EXCUSE, AS A RESULT OF MY FINGERS, NOT MY MIND, NOR INTENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CORRECTION.
don
Post a Comment
<< Home