�If a nation expects to be ignorant and free,

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   Quilligrapherposted 12 years ago

   ...it expects what never was and never will be.
   -Thomas Jefferson
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR2K8dbn … ure=fvwrel
   
   The freedoms we enjoy were won with the blood of patriots.
   
   Happy 4th of July

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      earnestshubposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I hope you enjoyed the day and it's reflections Q.
      The video was a very nice slice of American history with some wonderful truths being told.

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         Doug Hughesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Happy 4th Q and thank you for the video.
         
         It seems the founders were at war with falsehoods and deceit as much as we are now.
         
         The confidence they show in an informed electorate I can not share. The attractive lies are more appealing than raw facts.
         
         At first glance, one would think I am hostile to all conservatives, which is not true. There are a number of conservatives whose posts show a respect for facts and they do respect honest disagreement about truth.
         
         The people and organizations who deny facts, and spread lies have my contempt at a level which would earn me a lifetime ban if I ever uttered my loathing on this forum.

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            Quilligrapherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            You’re welcome, Doug. Hope you enjoy your holiday as well.
            There is ample evidence in the historic record to suggest that the founding fathers did not agree on all the issues of the day.  I admire their wisdom, Doug. They could respect other viewpoints and focus, not upon their own goals, but upon finding ways to satisfy everyone’s goals. The U.S. would never have been formed if one ideology insisted as many do today, particularly in this forum, that their own vision must prevail over all others.
            I suspect that the founding fathers shared this view too. The framework of the constitution suggests that they had very little confidence in the electorate. They were also well aware of the danger in placing too much power in the hands of too few. They expected schooled and successful citizen legislators would serve short terms as an expression of their civic duty. They never envisioned fulltime politicians dependent upon patronage and power to sustain their careers. The challenge for America today is to find the leverage to force career politicians to relinquish their grip on the power they covet.       
            
            Focusing on labels is to dismiss other’s ideas without evaluating their merits. Suggesting that the superiority of my political preferences is justification to exclude yours is to ignore your right as a citizen to participate in the political process too. To equate Marxism, Communism, and Socialism is to admit my ignorance. To value greed above compassion is to deny my membership in the human race. 
            “That government is best which governs least.”-Thomas Paine
            Have a good day, Doug. Here’s wishing your 4th is sunny and safe.

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         Quilligrapherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, Earnest, for your kind comments. The very best to you as well.

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   Shadesbreathposted 12 years ago

   Yeah but learning is hard. It's way more fun to just have an opinion, and it don't take no effert neither.
   
   
   
   A nice video selection for today. Happy 4th.

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      Quilligrapherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Happy 4th to you too, Shadesbreath. Opinions are good so long as they don't disable one's ability to examine the merits of other viewpoints. Diversity of ideas is the strength of this nation.

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   TMMasonposted 12 years ago

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swBfmVKzUjU

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