Posted on Jun 18, 2016
George Washington's warning against political parties
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Very interesting read and video. Is this Today's political climate ? With all of the fighting between the political parties, many people are defined by which party they belong and the issues that they stand for. Partisan attacks and polarization have become the norm, and the division in the nation is clearly growing to an alarming level. https://johncashon.wordpress.com/2014/07/04/george-washingtons-warning-against-political-parties/
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Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
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I read George Washington's farewell address several years ago and have been posting it all over the internet trying to warn people that "party" is most of the problem. If people payed as much fidelity to the US Constitution as they do a political hack who promotes party more than liberty, we'd see a lot less regulatory/legislative tyranny.
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp
Avalon Project - Washington's Farewell Address 1796
The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline...
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SSgt Christopher Brose
I see the utility of political parties, at least in theory. As an individual, there's not a lot you can do to affect change. But if you link up with like-minded people and work together, you can accomplish a lot more.
The problem as I see it is not with the existence of parties per se, but with the lock the two major parties have on the system, plus the primary system with a disproportionate amount of influence on our November choices by only a handful of states. If we can blow that part of it up, then people who are dissatisfied with the Republican and Democrat parties can affiliate with other parties without feeling like their votes will be wasted.
The problem as I see it is not with the existence of parties per se, but with the lock the two major parties have on the system, plus the primary system with a disproportionate amount of influence on our November choices by only a handful of states. If we can blow that part of it up, then people who are dissatisfied with the Republican and Democrat parties can affiliate with other parties without feeling like their votes will be wasted.
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Cpl (Join to see)
The problem isn't attaching yourself to a political party. The problem is watching the leadership of those parties make decisions sans the people who make up that party. I used to consider myself a republican.
After I read Washington's farewell address, I actually began reading more and really did some introspection. The party leadership is not listening to their constituents. The D party does not come anywhere near my beliefs, which puts me in limbo.
While watching my son take the same Oath of Enlistment I did years before, I reread the US Constitution again and again. The oath tells me what I should pay fealty to; the document itself, not a person or party.
James Garfield later wrote that we the people are responsible for the character of our government and we should elect people of good character. It's time to hold party accountable to their oaths of office.
"Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature.... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation ... it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces." James Garfield, the twentieth president of the United States, 1877
After I read Washington's farewell address, I actually began reading more and really did some introspection. The party leadership is not listening to their constituents. The D party does not come anywhere near my beliefs, which puts me in limbo.
While watching my son take the same Oath of Enlistment I did years before, I reread the US Constitution again and again. The oath tells me what I should pay fealty to; the document itself, not a person or party.
James Garfield later wrote that we the people are responsible for the character of our government and we should elect people of good character. It's time to hold party accountable to their oaths of office.
"Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature.... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation ... it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces." James Garfield, the twentieth president of the United States, 1877
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The divisions between Americans that matter aren't political, they're ideological. There's a difference. The Progressive Movement begun with President Woodrow Wilson more than a century ago has matured into a threat to our Constitutional liberties. Sadly, there is a significant number of people who yearn to abandon freedom to shed themselves from the responsibilities that freedom demands. They are willing to accept the governance of a strong Executive (tyrant) who will accept all responsibility in exchange for absolute power. Those who value freedom are reasonably upset at this prospect. Sadly, the Progressive Movement has infiltrated both parties and the differences between them are now negligible. See how the leadership of both parties are attacking anyone who threatens their agenda. Trump. Cruz. Anyone who is not party to their conspiracy. Thus, the battle between the parties is merely a canard, a ruse to keep We the People from identifying our true enemy. It's hard to fight an enemy if you can't even name them, isn't it?
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