The question of democracy

[Belsnickel]

(03-15-2018, 11:14 AM)Dill Wrote: Thanks for the thoughtful post. I didn't mean to imply the work itself was sketchy. The letters and other documents are definitely primary historical materials, and it is fun to read their debates "unprocessed" by secondary authors.

The Constitution did not drop out of the sky fully formed. I think we get deeper insight into the Framer's intent when we look at these early debates which brought them from the Articles of Confederation to document eventually ratified, and which we still live with. Wish I had read those proceedings back in my 20s.

Hey I'll be down your way in couple of weeks, in Roanoke anyway.

One of my biggest pet peeves is how so many people seemingly deify the framers. They definitely were great thinkers of the day, but we have to keep in mind that they were human, and they were politicians. They debated, they were flawed, and they were subject to some of the same pitfalls that our present day politicians are subject to. The formation of this country's system of government was definitely a process and many people forget that.

I see myself going into one of my usual rants that turns people off around here, so I'll stop traveling down this path.

Interestingly enough, I've never been to Roanoke. Before my wife and I got together, I hadn't experience much of the Commonwealth at all. I was in my city, here, and I had driven through places to get to other states, and I had seen scout camps and a couple of naval bases. Other than that, I hadn't experienced much of what Virginia has to offer. Since then I've spent a lot more time in central and eastern parts of the state. I can't bring myself to go to NoVA, because **** that. I go and catch the Metro into DC, but that's it. But I also haven't hit up southside and the SW area, either. I really need to, I just haven't found the time.