Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Friday, August 14. 2009

QQQ

"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."


George Washington

Posted by Bird Dog in Quotidian Quotable Quote (QQQ) at 10:20 | Comments (10) | Trackback (1)

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A brief note to Prez Obama
Government is the most powerful and dangerous "special interest" that exists. Everybody knows that. George Washington predicted it. Government power is the flaw of democracy. That's why they wanted a Constitutional Republic.
Weblog: Maggie's Farm
Tracked: Aug 15, 11:07

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the current Nyquist column has some nice things to say about George Washington --about how seriously worried he had been about his own ability to lead the new nation. The great man was genuinely humble.

http://www.financialsense.com/stormwatch/geo/pastanalysis/2009/0807.html
#1 buddy larsen on 2009-08-14 10:23 (Reply)
Buddy,

Have you read anything by Paul Johnson, British historian? I've read all his works because he so loves what he does that reframing history to suit his views would be anathema to him. One of my favorite books of his is the one on America's presidents. I had trouble not reading it straight through it was that fabulous. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln fascinated me the most because neither wanted to be president, and both turned out to be among the best. Washington was happiest as a scout working with the Indians when they dragged him in to put on a uniform. The story is so personal, and combined with the events of his life, the reader is left in awe of this man's integrity. I felt the same about Lincoln. wow...
`
#1.1 Meta on 2009-08-14 13:19 (Reply)
Where are the Washington's and Lincoln's of today?

It would be interesting to see a list of people who may want to serve their country versus having the country serve them.
#1.1.1 Barrett on 2009-08-14 14:40 (Reply)
"...who may want to serve their country versus having the country serve them."

I think you win a prize for that, Barrett.

I think what you just said is the crux of the serious anger of the republican party. It's one thing to coalesce into groups to demonstrate, but just imagine the force of that anger solidified and smoothed out by a leader who could take that power and turn it into the integrity demonstrated by every great leader in history. Oh man..... We are aching for that, and there is no sign of one. Conservatives are so mad we're eating our own.

Oh, for the soothing balm of "Follow me. I will stand before you as I will stand behind you."
`
#1.1.1.1 Meta on 2009-08-14 19:26 (Reply)
"Follow me. I will stand before you as I will stand behind you."

Faint hope for that. But who knows, they might be out there, yet.
#1.1.1.1.1 Luther on 2009-08-14 23:30 (Reply)
Meta,

In the recesses of my mind, in my moments of revel in the idealism ignited by the joy of freedom and in my burning desire to see the greatest form of government in the history of mankind survive, I think of raising my hand to say, "I'll do it."

But then I awaken and realize that I don't have the money to buy a Senate seat or the Governorship of New Jersey like Jon Corzine, that no one owes me anything of such magnitude that I could strong arm the process to become the nominee of a party and that the media will just ignore what the people want and provide no coverage of someone who has no desire to be a career politician and who would like to see a severe downsizing of government in order to return freedom of choice to the people.

As an independent conservative who has a Jeffersonian view of government, I do not like government and thought of being a government official makes me wince.

However, I have been abandoned by my country. I stand on my toes peering in the window wondering if I will ever see the America that the founders envisioned.

I know there are others out here with me. We do need to figure out how to take our country back.
#1.1.1.1.2 Barrett on 2009-08-15 00:23 (Reply)
New Jersey also a lot of political corruption. Sharpe James, the former mayor of Newark, went to prison. A month ago, a number of mayors were arrested by the FBI for alleged corrupt activities.

Every entrenched interest would be out trying to take you down and would most likely be assisted by the media. I would be mostly worried about my family. Everyone has watched what the left and the media has done and still does to Sarah Palin and her family.

There are lots of reasons not to do anything. True service comes with great personal sacrifice.
#1.1.1.1.2.1 Barrett on 2009-08-15 09:35 (Reply)
"I stand on my toes peering in the window wondering if I will ever see the America that the founders envisioned. "

I love this. I mean, I love the metaphor, but the reality of it makes me weak. Conservatives having been peering over the sill for a long time now, and I am thrilled to see the "wave" across the country as people leave the window for the streets. It's time.

I was lying in bed this morning doing nothing but playing with my dog and thinking. This is not original thought as I've read it elsewhere, but Obama as the puppet for a much larger 'thing' - I don't know what to call it, is becoming more and more obvious. 'They' had to find the perfect guy as their puppet, and now some of the strings that move that puppet are breaking. It's Hollywood staging with Machiavellian masters and producers.

I've been reading the most obscene and ignorant rants about how stupid Woodstock was and how the Baby Boomers are such hypocrites. I say let's have another Woodstock on The Mall. Opening act: Rolling Stones, "Paint it Black".

Those 'icky' hippies and the Vietnam vets grew up to rock this economy into a prosperity never seen by this nation. Thoughtless people pick one thing to gripe about and refuse to see the wide view. Shallow minds and shallow sighs......
`
#1.1.1.1.2.1.1 Meta on 2009-08-15 11:10 (Reply)
There would be no US without George Washington. He sits atop the most astonishing collection of men who ever came together to accomplish something.

And, BTW, a great quote.
#2 Knucklehead (Link) on 2009-08-14 12:33 (Reply)
Government, up to George's time, had always been a condition of master or sovereign and subject. The monarch's will, tempered by the nobles' wishes and needs, drove the law.
Government in the colonies was moving in a more republican direction, of course. Some colonies had proprietors but most had no nobles as leaders.
Government now -- because we elect it -- is all of us writ large and powerful. For that reason, one of my basic political questions is this: what would I demand of you and let you demand of me? I will not support taxes for zoos and museums, not because I dislike zoos and museums (I love them) but because zoos and museums are not reasonable demands to make on my neighbor's pocket. THey can be supported (or can fail) based on voluntary contributions.
I will not support bans on fireworks because I don't want to tell my neighbors they must not use them (I want them to use fireworks responsibly, if at all). I will support rights for all legal residents -- if two people who are gay wish to live a gay lifestyle, I want them to live as they choose. If someone wants to live promiscuously, I wish that person would realize how empty such a life is -- but I won't try to forbid it.
Harming people comes under proper government constraint. An eight-year-old can't knowingly and understandingly be part of a sexual relationship. A 12-year-old probably can't. A 14-year-old? Maybe. The law must draw a line somewhere and the line will be a best guess or a compromise.
Some things work best as cooperative ventures: roads come to mind and probably parks and schools. I think these fall into gray zones as to whether the government should run them or sponsor them. National defense and law enforcement are clearly roles for us to tackle together and therefore government roles. THe post? Eh, maybe. Healthcare? Nope.
#3 Geoff on 2009-08-14 13:10 (Reply)

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