The granddaughters are occupying each other, so -- WASHINGTON BOARD

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Date Posted: 19:22:12 09/21/02 Sat
Author: Grumpy�
Author Host/IP: 155-41.poccpe.cableone.net / 24.116.155.41
Subject: The granddaughters are occupying each other, so
In reply to: Mike A. 's message, "I don't know" on 08:47:17 09/21/02 Sat

I have a little time to (hopefully) think now.

A very apt description of politics as the art of the possible seems applicable in all ages. On the principle that half a loaf is better than none, the founders accepted numerous compromises of varying importance and consequence. From all I've read, the deal breakers were representation and slavery. I think they accomplished about as much as they reasonably could given all the conflicting interests they had to deal with.

They gave us the outline and the tools to fill in the blanks; what we do about it is up to us, I guess.

We tend to idealize the men who struggled with these questions and came up with answers so agreeable to our views, but there's no use blinking the fact that they too were human, and labored under human motivations and biases. As an abstraction, freedom is undeniably a wonderful thing, but when it's time to get down to the business of government, the natural inclination is to put it in the hands of people you trust; people you know and agree with in your political outlook. People who won't surprise you, or make disagreeable demands on you, or on your pocketbook. All the gentlemen of the day despised "party" and "faction", they said, but they nevertheless were not slow off the mark in establishing parties and factions; another all too human trait.

I could go on and on, but I'll give your eyes a rest. :)

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