"Was George Washington write?"

1. 61

   Lawfull Richardposted 6 years ago

   Read what George Washington said, and then compare it to what is happening in the United States today. How far was he right?
   
   
   However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.
   
   GEORGE WASHINGTON, Farewell Address, Sep. 17, 1796

   replyreport
   1. 61

      couturepopcafeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      This is remarkable.  And yes, we can see he was right.  I think Reagan said something similar, or at least with the same basic message, and he may have taken his idea from this.

      replyreport
   2. 62

      Ralph Deedsposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      No, George Washington was wrong. Although of late our two party system appears to be dysfunctional, historically it has served us better than the multi-party political systems in Italy, Spain and other countries and better than the Labor v. Conservative parties in the UK. Having two parties which are moderate has provided greater certainty and continuity in our government and economy than has prevailed in other countries which have had ideologically polarized parties as in the case with the Labor and Conservative parties in the UK until recently when the government tended to lurch from left to right. The current polarized situation in the U.S. is coming to resemble postwar politics in the UK.

      replyreport
      1. 59

         LookingForWaldenposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I somewhat agree with you.
         However,
         It's not fair to compare our government to others as circumstances and influences are vastly different.
         A multi party or no party system could work very differently in the us.
         The polarization in our government needs to end. It's getting us nowhere.

         replyreport
2. 78

   Paul Wingertposted 6 years ago

   That was over 200 years ago and Washington lived in a different time and world.

   replyreport
   1. 61

      couturepopcafeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      But wasn't he right?  Look at the corruption of morals in politicians today.  There's no denying the government has been usurped by cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men.  The power of the people has been subverted and the engine which has lifted these politicians is being destroyed.

      replyreport
   2. 59

      LookingForWaldenposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      "Whereas the truth is that the State in which the rulers are most reluctant to govern is always the best and most quietly governed, and the State in which they are most eager, the worst." Socrates
      
      That was from a way longer time ago and it's still very relevant. If you haven't read The Republic by Socrates I suggest you do as it was a major influence on the founding fathers and the American government.
      
      I believe the fathers would be appalled at our system today. At least in regards to the party system and the way campaigning works.
      If we could put a two term limit on congress and cap everyones campaign funds I think we could take a major step in fixing our country.

      replyreport