With government bailouts, federal control of business and tax-evading congressmen, I’ve become intrigued with the writings of our Founding Fathers.
How would they react if they came back today? From their writings, here’s what I think.
They would be devastated by our “separation of church and state.” Because they based their lives on faith, they encouraged Bible readings in public schools and much of the Constitution they agonized over was taken from the structure of the Israelites in Exodus.
They would be appalled by millionaire politicians. Most of our Founding Fathers served without pay and at great personal expense. George Washington refused any pay for his first command, asking only that his expenses be reimbursed, then kept a detailed and honest accounting. Ben Franklin, speaking in England, explained it thus: “The honor of serving the public ably and faithfully is deemed sufficient.”
They would be shocked, but not surprised, that politicians have become power hungry. From the Federalist Papers; “You must first enable the government to control the governed and, in the next place, oblige it to control itself.”
And they would be stunned at our government’s out-of-control spending, that now requires 50 cents of borrowing for every dollar spent — a burden that will fall heavily on the shoulders of our children and grandchildren.
Jefferson wrote that government must be fiscally responsible, “I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt is the greatest danger to be feared.”
But, they also would be dismayed at how many of their citizens had become ruthless toward each other because our Constitution was written for a people able to govern themselves — a “virtuously and morally strong” people.
But, I also believe they would see hope and the possibility of change if we follow the sage advice of Franklin, “The most promising method of securing virtuous and morally stable people is to elect virtuous leaders.”
You might be that person. And, election days are always just around the corner.
Reach Auburn resident Karen Shepherd at karen.shepherd@rocketmail.com.
