To say that reconciliation is our duty, is truly farcical
--Thomas Paine, Common Sense
Ten generations ago, a number of men and women chose to put their lives at risk for an idea. They risked a hanging because they believed that their course and laws should not be set by one man. They believed the risk was worth it, not just for their benefit, should they succeed, but also for their descendants.
...on his being attacked in the House of Commons on the score that his measures were only of a temporary kind, replied, "They will last my time." Should a thought so fatal and unmanly possess the Colonies in the present contest, the name of ancestors will be remembered by future generations with detestation.
A number of members of Congress has accepted something it knows is clearly unconstitutional and unwise, because it can be reviewed in six months. I am left wondering what will happen in the next six months that will render George Bush’s demand any less monarchical, provide members of Congress with more spine, or otherwise highlight even further how contrary to the founding principles of this country is the policy they have just approved.
Though I would carefully avoid giving unnecessary offence, yet I am inclined to believe, that all those who espouse the doctrine of reconciliation, may be included within the following descriptions. Interested men, who are not to be trusted, weak men who cannot see, prejudiced men who will not see, and a certain set of moderate men who think better of the European world than it deserves; and this last class, by an ill-judged deliberation, will be the cause of more calamities to this Continent than all the other three.
So what is it, weak-kneed Democrats? Self-interest, like Joe Lieberman? Weakness, like Dianne Feinstein? Or “moderation,” like the Blue Dogs?
The powers of governing still remaining in the hands of the king, he will have a negative over the whole legislation of this continent. And as he hath shewn himself such an inveterate enemy to liberty, and discovered such a thirst for arbitrary power; is he, or is he not, a proper man to say to these colonies, "You shall make no laws but what I please." And is there any inhabitant in America so ignorant, as not to know, that according to what is called the present constitution, that this continent can make no laws but what the king gives it leave to; and is there any man so unwise, as not to see, that (considering what has happened) he will suffer no law to be made here, but such as suit his purpose.
You have just been ordered by someone with a 28% approval rating to pass a law contrary to your own interest and the interest of the future of liberty, in this nation founded on liberty, and you did it. Is there anything you cannot be driven to do out of fear of the least popular president of modern times, perhaps of all time? The founders of this country stood their ground despite the threat of death. You cannot hold fast when being threatened with losing your job.
But where says some is the King of America? I'll tell you Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Britain. Yet that we may not appear to be defective even in earthly honors, let a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming the charter; let it be brought forth placed on the divine law, the word of God; let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know, that so far as we approve as monarchy, that in America the law is King. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other. But lest any ill use should afterwards arise, let the crown at the conclusion of the ceremony be demolished, and scattered among the people whose right it is.
You have given assent that the law as King is dead, long live the President-King.
A government of our own is our natural right: And when a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of human affairs, he will become convinced, that it is infinitely wiser and safer, to form a constitution of our own in a cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power, than to trust such an interesting event to time and chance. If we omit it now, some, Massanello may hereafter arise, who laying hold of popular disquietudes, may collect together the desperate and discontented, and by assuming to themselves the powers of government, may sweep away the liberties of the continent like a deluge.
Massanello has risen. His name is George W. Bush.