The question of democracy

[masterpanthera_t]

(03-15-2018, 11:25 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: 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.

I might be in the minority I suppose, but I don't find this type of discussion focusing on the founders as mere mortals with flaws being broached a whole lot anywhere. Mostly these guys get deified in most political discourse in the few places their intent is brought up in the context of an amendment. Sometimes to the point that any discussion of a rethinking of laws can simply be ended with "but the founders", as if nobody from this era could advocate a thought which might apply better to current society than guys from 200 plus years ago. So, I personally wouldn't consider it a "rant" if you went down this path. You present things with a fairly balanced approach with enough self awareness that I think it would be fairly well received across the spectrum of viewpoints on this board. If you mean that you can get a little pedantic, I can see that, but sometimes it needs to go there.

Speaking of traveling down paths, I pass by your university a lot when I come down to see my parents in Radford. It feels like a different world, but in a way I get to see the difference in mindset between "urban" and "rural", though my interactions with folks there (SW Va) is very minimal (meaning I just see/hear people when I'm out shopping at stores.