One of my critics on Facebook saw the following post and then made the comment listed below:
Geoffrey said:
John Adams also said this, within a month or so of the quote
you cite- "The proposition that the people are the best keepers of their
own liberties is not true. They are the worst conceivable, they are no keepers
at all; they can neither judge, act, think, or will, as a political body."
So, what do you think he is suggesting there, genius?
McNaughton said:
Are you serious? Has our government strayed so far from the Founder's intent that we no longer recognize where we came from?
First of all, to understand the quote on the painting is to see that Adams believed our Constitution would only survive as long as the majority of Americans were moral and maintained their religious values. Even more than today, at the time of the Founders, most Americans were Christian. (Today about 77% of Americans view themselves as Christian.) The Judeo-Christian values of life and liberty were the foundation of this country.
The next quote is a direct reference to our Republican form of government. You see, Geoffrey, we were not intended to be a Democracy. In a government where each individual casts a vote you eventually fall prey to "mob rule." Because most voters, "can neither judge, act, think, or will, as a political body." This is what is happening in America today and we are spending ourselves into oblivion with entitlements and foreign wars. If you have enough people in a Democracy voting one way you can trample the rights of others. Just look at our current tax code. Are all Americans treated fairly?
Why are we no longer a Republic? When the 17th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in 1913 it made the election of Senators no longer an appointment of the State legislature and put it up to a popular vote. (1913 was not a good year for American freedom.) This shattered the pattern of electing trusted politicians on a local level and holding them responsible to appoint Senators to best protect the rights of the state. Today, most senators appeal to the popular vote and are beholden to special interests who fund their campaigns and pull the strings.
A Republic form of government was designed to vote and appoint our greatest advocates for freedom and the Constitution and protect the rights of the states. Yes, the Republic is dead and our Constitution is barely alive. It doesn't take a genius to see that America has chosen a path to destruction and unless we wake up and restore the moral and religious values of our nation WE WILL FAIL.
Very well put Von McNaughton!
ReplyDeletePeople do not give our forefathers the credit for their Christian faith. In these pessimistic times, they instead choose to say, they were deists and perverts. After all, they want them to fit in with the people of today. As we run away from God today, our forefathers weep.
ReplyDeleteNo, it doesn't take a genius. It merely takes someone able to recognize that all throughout history godly nations grew and prospered and ungodly nations faltered and failed. I remember being a college-age kid thinking it could never happen to America. My Pastor at the time told me, "yes, it can, it IS gradually happening now." Just a few short decades later, I now see prophesies falling in place before my eyes and the 'gradual' has become a rapid deterioration.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, his argument was flawed in that he never really asserted *anything*. He quoted a statement that really could have been taken any one of several ways, and then left you to interpret it ("So, what do you think he is suggesting there, genius?").
ReplyDeleteI'd like to ask Geoffrey to answer his own question: "So, what do YOU think he is suggesting there, Geoffrey?"
For the reasons you cited, Jon, "the people" (as a whole) are NOT the best keepers of their own liberties. We are seeing the effects of mob rule (democracy), and it's not pretty.
The individuals themselves, however, ARE the best keepers of their own liberties. Which is why it's so important that we preach about the principles of liberty itself, as well as the importance of individuals doing their part to preserve their liberties. It's an uphill climb, for sure. But I believe that ultimately we WILL win this battle (i.e., 'individual liberty and responsibility' VS. 'collective bondage and dependency').
Every American should read "Original Intent". It should be required reading in high schools.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Geoffrey's "genuis" response?
ReplyDeleteJon, It never ceases to amaze me the liberal critics that are seemingly in fear of you. It is because you paint and speak the truth, for that, I thank you. I believe you will be a historical figure from our times some day. I really do. Thank you for what you do and for the care and thought you put into all you do. Your critics are only afraid of the truth.
ReplyDeleteOk. Everyone, including Jon, feels they understand Adams and the founding fathers. It takes an intelligent and honest person to admit that we don't understand them completely; not only because we have not thoroughly studied their lives, but also because we have little understanding of the period in which they lived.
ReplyDeleteTo have a clearer understanding of Adams (a devoutly religious person) and possibly what he thought, I direct you to a very interesting synopsis of Adams from the John Adams Center that I suggest you read more than several times (it requires consideration)... http://www.johnadamscenter.com/home/why-john-adams/