Civic Duty

[2manyrocks]

Shouldn't stop her from voting in several jurisdictions.....

 

[Willl]

The framers

Who are the "framers" ?

 

[2manyrocks]

The framers are the men who thought out the Constitutional framework on which this nation's government is built. Their work is a remarkable accomplishment and is deserving of great appreciation and respect.

 

[dmccarty]

Who are the "framers" ?

Adams, Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Hancock, etc. Many/Most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence went on to be the creators/framers of the US Constitution. They debated in secret close door meetings during a hot summer in Philadelphia, PA on the framework of the Federal government. What they created is 200+ years ago is what IS the US.

Many of the topics they debated and solutions to those topics are still very relevant today. These men really understood and tried to control human foibles. They created a framework that so far, for the most part, has prevented a minority of the people from forever over powering a majority of the people and vice versa.

Part of our Federal framework is the Senate is elected to 6 years and House members for 2. The Senate provides stability while the House provides volatility. Before the Constitution was changed, Senators were elected by the state legislature while the House members were and still are elected by direct citizen votes. This difference was to slow down or moderate bills to be passed into law. There needed to be a balance between allowing rash, emotional decisions by the people which while they might be valid needed to be slowed down. Thus the Senate was created to provide stability and longevity compared to the House. But at the same time the will of the people needed to be represented and a single house like the Senate was not a good answer either. Its a balance of powers between the Legislative Branch.

Phrases like "Sign you John Hancock" or "I need your John Hancock" are derived from how John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence. He signed his name so that it was very large and very prominent.

What people don't understand any more is that signing the Declaration of Independence was an act of TREASON against the King. Any signer was by definition a TRAITOR which meant a death sentence. When the writers of the Declaration signed the document they put all of their worth, their family, and their own lives on the line. They in effect signed their own death warrants.

There only way to live was to win the war.

How many people in Congress would do this today?

How many of your fellow citizens would do this today?

Later,
Dan

 

[dave1949]

How many people in Congress would do this today? Maybe 25 out of 535? You are making me sad!

How many of your fellow citizens would do this today? Good question.

Dave.

 

[2manyrocks]

If you also look at what the signers of the Declaration of Independence also lost in the war--they made real personal sacrifices. These guys were deep thinkers and yet so practical. I don't think any later generation could equal them if they had been called upon to write the Constitution.

 

[Willl]

What people don't understand any more is that signing the Declaration of Independence was an act of TREASON against the King. Any signer was by definition a TRAITOR which meant a death sentence. When the writers of the Declaration signed the document they put all of their worth, their family, and their own lives on the line. They in effect signed their own death warrants.

Wow, Dan, you just typed words, I, as a USA high school grad, have never heard of.

And the more I think about it, the more it torques my cookie.....

 

[dave1949]

Wow, Dan, you just typed words, I, as a USA high school grad, have never heard of.

And the more I think about it, the more it torques my cookie.....

I have no idea about current history course content in high school. I can tell you back in the mid-sixties, what they taught had very little connection to reality. Of course, most people, including myself, don't come to realize what was left out or shaded/slanted until they are older. You probably have lots of company.
Dave.

 

[Bird]

I have no idea about current history course content in high school. I can tell you back in the mid-sixties, what they taught had very little connection to reality. Of course, most people, including myself, don't come to realize what was left out or shaded/slanted until they are older. You probably have lots of company.
Dave.

You're right, Dave, and the same applies to the mid-50s.

 

[2manyrocks]

It's a difficult subject to teach because it is both conceptual, philosophical and historical in nature. For me, much of what is in the U.S. Constitution is in reaction to the experiences they had encountered in England. If I remember correctly, the puritans, for example, were for a time banned from preaching in England under the Dissenter's Act. Specifically, I am thinking of Stephen Charnock whose book The Existence and Attributes of God is still in print. In simple concept, then we see the reaction in the US Constitution forbidding the government from establishing a one state religion to the exclusion of others, an assurance of freedom of speech and an assurance of freedom of assembly.