The fundamental questions that the Founding Fathers wrestled with before they even began writing the Constitution included the ideal v. the real government; sovereignty; freedom; and human nature. At the basis of the Constitution is this fundamental principle: government. The Founding Fathers knew there needed to be government, there needed to be a law. They understood the human predicament that there is a cyclic nature involving competing groups, tyranny, revolution, and anarchy. They knew that of the two, tyranny and anarchy, there is no better option. They had a sound understanding that both tyranny and anarchy are potential consequences under the rule of mortal beings. They even knew that up until that point in history, there had not been a government which had outlasted either tyranny, or anarchy. Every government before the foundation of this nation had fallen, had failed, had succumbed to the seemingly inevitable result of an overthrow of a tyrant by a revolution. The Founding Fathers knew that neither tyranny nor anarchy is desirable. What they did not know was the solution to this extremism. They wrestled with options for balancing the predicament that had existed since antiquity.
The four options that may have been considered were these: Monarchy, Classical Republicanism, Libertarianism, and Liberalism. Of these four, no official and conscious choice was made. Each one presented various options and viewpoints that contributed to the answers of their questions and concerns, but no single option had all of the answers. Up until this point, there had been no society to maximize on the intersection of government, freedom and human nature.
The essential elements that contributed to the formation were structure, participation, law, custom & tradition, moral sense and leadership. The Founding Fathers knew there needed to be structure to the government, they knew of the necessity for a self sustaining system that could balance and maintain its power. They also understood that the participation of citizens was an essential element to the formation. People need to feel a sense of belonging; we need ownership over that which we must preserve. The Founding Fathers saw the need to incorporate experiences from England in order to have success. These men were looking for a common notion of right versus wrong and needed people with a vision. These elements contributed to the foundation of the United States of America. Above all else, the Founding Fathers knew they were creating a new government; something completely original with no formula to apply. If they were to replicate another government that had already existed they would also be replicating the same consequences. The purpose of creating a government, not simply establishing one, was to tackle the problem of government once and for all.
It’s a remarkable blessing that the Founding Fathers were able to see far beyond their lifetime with great concern. They knew the creating of a new government would need the flexibility and possibility to adapt. They had the far-sighted mind frame to build a government that would be sustainable. Not because it would be ideal but because it would accept human nature as a key component in its success, the fact that it’s fallible, that it has its vices and that it will never be a utopia.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Response 3
One of the pieces of art that had a great effect on me was Christopher Young's Man of Sorrows. I was deeply touched by the message of the painting through its contradictions and paradoxes. In this work, Young has depicted Jesus Christ through the shape of a window frame, as if we are catching a glimpse of His trial and His sacrifice. In the painting, Christ has on His crown of thorns and is currently bearing the cross. These are the plain, obvious, and objective facts of the piece. Through further examination we see there are deeper meanings and truths to its message. Christ is holding the cross, but although it appears to be heavy and difficult to bear, he carries it with ease. And although the depiction signifies that Christ has yet to complete His sacrifice, His pensive face seems to be contemplating anything but the coming moments He will endure. A third contradiction is the overall sense of idealism. The body of Christ is very chiseled and almost model-like. The painting creates the feeling that this is as ideal as this situation could possibly be, and the illusion that this reality was in fact an ideal occurrence.
After scrutinizing the facts and physical features of Young’s painting, I came to find the intent of this piece. At first, I thought the contradictions were simply a result of his perspective, of which I could not agree. But I quickly realized that this was purely his way of conveying a message. The message is that our Savior was, in essence, a living paradox. His teachings are seemingly contradictory from the surface and His life was the ultimate ironic act. He lost His life so that we might keep our own. He gave His entire life to us and to The Father, so that we might complete ours individually. He taught that if we take His yolk upon us, we may be light. He preached to all the earth that if we lose ourselves, we will find ourselves. His counterintuitive nature is consistent through His teachings and His life. His insights are a result of His unique perspective and greater understanding of truth. The beauty in all of these paradoxes is, as Dr. H. put it, “the tension of a paradox yields a resolution.”
This message of Christopher Young’s painting highlights the truth of our Savior’s life, mission, sacrifice and death.
After scrutinizing the facts and physical features of Young’s painting, I came to find the intent of this piece. At first, I thought the contradictions were simply a result of his perspective, of which I could not agree. But I quickly realized that this was purely his way of conveying a message. The message is that our Savior was, in essence, a living paradox. His teachings are seemingly contradictory from the surface and His life was the ultimate ironic act. He lost His life so that we might keep our own. He gave His entire life to us and to The Father, so that we might complete ours individually. He taught that if we take His yolk upon us, we may be light. He preached to all the earth that if we lose ourselves, we will find ourselves. His counterintuitive nature is consistent through His teachings and His life. His insights are a result of His unique perspective and greater understanding of truth. The beauty in all of these paradoxes is, as Dr. H. put it, “the tension of a paradox yields a resolution.”
This message of Christopher Young’s painting highlights the truth of our Savior’s life, mission, sacrifice and death.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Response 2
Martin Diamond’s title, “The Revolution of Sober Expectations,” delivers the message of how sobriety and serenity not only enhanced, but facilitated the foundation of the American Revolution. Diamond’s claim that the Declaration was essentially only a “half revolution,” and that the completion came eleven years later, supports the notion that sobriety was indeed an essential characteristic of the Founding Fathers.
Sober expectations could in other words be referred to as realistic expectations or as I like to think of it, patient expectations. Our Founding Fathers were wise enough to have a healthy perspective of things to come. They understood that to expect a utopian society, a flawless government, perfect equality for all, or even the development and establishment of a government to blossom sooner than 1787 (after 1776 independence) were beyond plausible and far too irrational. They held the belief that civil liberty was an attainable goal. While there are some who prefer the absolute “reign of virtue,” “unlimited equality in all respects,” or mass fraternity and others who result in a classless society, or the “transformation of the human condition itself,” our Founding Fathers remained level headed and sober. They opted for a slightly vaguer and abstract goal, the principle of civil liberty. For some, this may be viewed as a cop-out. Mockery may accuse a leader whose main goal is “civil liberty” as one with a measly standard. But consistent with protracted political debates, time tells us otherwise. “Moderate civil liberty is a possible dream; utopian equality and fraternity are impossible dreams…the political pursuit of impossible dreams leads to terror and tyranny in the vain effort to actualize what cannot be.”
Our Founding Fathers could have set their sights higher and sought out perfection, but they understood human nature well enough to know that could only result in collapse. They knew that the future citizens of this country would be consistently flawed. They understood that inevitable truth and accepted it. Not only did they accept this fact but resolved to use it to the advantage of every American. An example of this sober expectation is the election system. Use politicians’ egos to our advantage by allotting a short time period in office. This short length of time will remind them that they will have to run again shortly and will once again need the approval of their constituency.
Diamond also suggests that sober expectations were closely linked with the first establishment of self-evident truths. Self-evident truths provide evidence for themselves by people living them. The evidence of these truths is not an immediate evidence, but a protracted one. The expectation of this evidence was realistic, patient, sober.
Specifically, the truth that all men are created equal is examined by Diamond with sobriety. “…men are created equal but only with respect to the equal possession of certain unalienable rights…what we are equally is equally free.” The expectation was never that there would be no distinctions among classes and gender, no differences among races, sexual orientation, or religion, the expectation was that every individual included in these groups would have an equal opportunity to be free. Free to choose the life they want to live, and free to live the life they’ve chosen. What a wise and sober expectation.
Sober expectations could in other words be referred to as realistic expectations or as I like to think of it, patient expectations. Our Founding Fathers were wise enough to have a healthy perspective of things to come. They understood that to expect a utopian society, a flawless government, perfect equality for all, or even the development and establishment of a government to blossom sooner than 1787 (after 1776 independence) were beyond plausible and far too irrational. They held the belief that civil liberty was an attainable goal. While there are some who prefer the absolute “reign of virtue,” “unlimited equality in all respects,” or mass fraternity and others who result in a classless society, or the “transformation of the human condition itself,” our Founding Fathers remained level headed and sober. They opted for a slightly vaguer and abstract goal, the principle of civil liberty. For some, this may be viewed as a cop-out. Mockery may accuse a leader whose main goal is “civil liberty” as one with a measly standard. But consistent with protracted political debates, time tells us otherwise. “Moderate civil liberty is a possible dream; utopian equality and fraternity are impossible dreams…the political pursuit of impossible dreams leads to terror and tyranny in the vain effort to actualize what cannot be.”
Our Founding Fathers could have set their sights higher and sought out perfection, but they understood human nature well enough to know that could only result in collapse. They knew that the future citizens of this country would be consistently flawed. They understood that inevitable truth and accepted it. Not only did they accept this fact but resolved to use it to the advantage of every American. An example of this sober expectation is the election system. Use politicians’ egos to our advantage by allotting a short time period in office. This short length of time will remind them that they will have to run again shortly and will once again need the approval of their constituency.
Diamond also suggests that sober expectations were closely linked with the first establishment of self-evident truths. Self-evident truths provide evidence for themselves by people living them. The evidence of these truths is not an immediate evidence, but a protracted one. The expectation of this evidence was realistic, patient, sober.
Specifically, the truth that all men are created equal is examined by Diamond with sobriety. “…men are created equal but only with respect to the equal possession of certain unalienable rights…what we are equally is equally free.” The expectation was never that there would be no distinctions among classes and gender, no differences among races, sexual orientation, or religion, the expectation was that every individual included in these groups would have an equal opportunity to be free. Free to choose the life they want to live, and free to live the life they’ve chosen. What a wise and sober expectation.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Response 1
The Declaration of Independence:
I must admit, this may be the first time in my life that I am taking a Historical and U.S. Government based class that I am genuinely excited about. In the past I have excluded history from being at the top of my academic preference list. Until the past year or so I thought politics and law were for everyone else besides me. An ignorant belief? Definitely. But, and I am afraid to say, a common one as well.
For how often we sing and hear the song "Proud to be an American," I am skeptical that the majority of Americans deeply feel what we sing. Living in a country that has been established for over two centuries, it appears to be easy, and far too ordinary to forget the founding of this nation, its power, its majesty and how invaluable it is to us all.
Our discussion last class on the Declaration of Independence was eye opening for me. I've always had a dear appreciation for our founding fathers, for their far-sightedness, for the liberty they indirectly blessed me with and for the chance I have to live in a country that allows me to believe and worship as I choose, because of their revolt. However, for me, the tribute that I owe them was made surer, the debt I will never be able to repay was intensified, and the precious gift they gave this world was magnified by examining the Declaration. A clearer understanding of what the Declaration of Independence is truly all about, the terms on which it was founded, and the act of dozens of men risking their life for goodness and truth inspires me to be a better patriot.
After our discussion, I realized I tend to focus more on the flaws and failures of our current American Government and Society rather than the beauty on which it originated. Dissecting the Declaration impressed upon me the strength that comes not from cynicism, but from optimism; not from criticism, but from action; not from forgetting, but from honoring.
As Dr. H professed, our Founding Fathers signed their name and as they signed their name, "they signed their death warrant." They signed their name, "they signed their families death warrant." They signed their name, "they signed their names as traitors" forever.
I want to not only mean the words, when I say them, but also live the words that have never been more true for me, that I am genuinely and sincerely "Proud to be an American."
I must admit, this may be the first time in my life that I am taking a Historical and U.S. Government based class that I am genuinely excited about. In the past I have excluded history from being at the top of my academic preference list. Until the past year or so I thought politics and law were for everyone else besides me. An ignorant belief? Definitely. But, and I am afraid to say, a common one as well.
For how often we sing and hear the song "Proud to be an American," I am skeptical that the majority of Americans deeply feel what we sing. Living in a country that has been established for over two centuries, it appears to be easy, and far too ordinary to forget the founding of this nation, its power, its majesty and how invaluable it is to us all.
Our discussion last class on the Declaration of Independence was eye opening for me. I've always had a dear appreciation for our founding fathers, for their far-sightedness, for the liberty they indirectly blessed me with and for the chance I have to live in a country that allows me to believe and worship as I choose, because of their revolt. However, for me, the tribute that I owe them was made surer, the debt I will never be able to repay was intensified, and the precious gift they gave this world was magnified by examining the Declaration. A clearer understanding of what the Declaration of Independence is truly all about, the terms on which it was founded, and the act of dozens of men risking their life for goodness and truth inspires me to be a better patriot.
After our discussion, I realized I tend to focus more on the flaws and failures of our current American Government and Society rather than the beauty on which it originated. Dissecting the Declaration impressed upon me the strength that comes not from cynicism, but from optimism; not from criticism, but from action; not from forgetting, but from honoring.
As Dr. H professed, our Founding Fathers signed their name and as they signed their name, "they signed their death warrant." They signed their name, "they signed their families death warrant." They signed their name, "they signed their names as traitors" forever.
I want to not only mean the words, when I say them, but also live the words that have never been more true for me, that I am genuinely and sincerely "Proud to be an American."
Just and Holy Principles, featuring George Q. Cannon
"...Now, during all these years, and subsequently, when we were being mobbed, plundered, and driven, the Latter-day Saints had an abiding faith, based upon the revelations that God had given through brother Joseph Smith, that the day would come when we should be a great people, when our virtues would be recognized, when our patriotism would be vindicated, when our loyalty to truth and to the principles of virtue and of good government, of pure republicanism would be established and the work of God with which we are connected become universal. Brother Joseph had predicted this. The Elders, the Saints, the people old and young believed it with all their hearts. The hatred of mobs, the burning of houses, the destruction of property, the expulsion from homes never weakened their confidence in the truth of these predictions, and their eventual fulfillment. That feeling had been implanted there by the Almighty; the Spirit of God had borne testimony to it in their hearts, and they never doubted it. Hated by a township, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by a county; hated by a county, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by a State; hated by a State, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by men who constituted a party who, it might be said, were the representatives of the nation; hated by a nation, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by other nations, until, as I have said, their loyalty to truth, to virtue, to good government, to good order and everything that is pure, holy and God-like, would be vindicated and established in the eyes of all men -- by the nations at large, as well as their fellow-citizens." (pp. 38-39)
"...We do not want liberty for ourselves alone; we desire every man to have it; liberty for Ingersoll, and all who believe as he does; liberty for the followers of Mohammed and all who believe in the Koran; liberty for Beecher and for those of his way of thinking; and even Talmage who has talked so badly about us, we would have him enjoy liberty; yes, and permit him to say what he pleases about us, to take what view he pleases of our belief and practices and to tell everybody what he thinks about them...All sects and all people should have this liberty, that is, liberty of conscience, liberty of speech and liberty of the press, as long as it does not degenerate into license, and interfere with the rights of others. We claim this for ourselves; we contend for it, and we shall contend for it until it is gained." (p. 41)
"...We do not want liberty for ourselves alone; we desire every man to have it; liberty for Ingersoll, and all who believe as he does; liberty for the followers of Mohammed and all who believe in the Koran; liberty for Beecher and for those of his way of thinking; and even Talmage who has talked so badly about us, we would have him enjoy liberty; yes, and permit him to say what he pleases about us, to take what view he pleases of our belief and practices and to tell everybody what he thinks about them...All sects and all people should have this liberty, that is, liberty of conscience, liberty of speech and liberty of the press, as long as it does not degenerate into license, and interfere with the rights of others. We claim this for ourselves; we contend for it, and we shall contend for it until it is gained." (p. 41)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Just and Holy Principles, featuring John Taylor
"...No man, no government has the right, at the instigation of traitors, to destroy innocent men, women, and children. God never gave them such a right, and the people never gave it to hem, and they never had it." (p. 29)
"...We expect to see the nations waste, crumble, and decay. We expect to see a universal chaos of religious and political sentiment, and an uncertainty much more serious than anything that exists at the present time. We look forward to the time; and try to help it on, when God will assert his own right with regard to the government of the earth; when, as in religious matters so in political matters, he will enlighten the minds of those that bear rule, he will teach the kings wisdom and instruct the senators by the Spirit of eternal truth; when to him 'every knee shall bow and ever tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.' Then 'shall the earth be full of knowledge like as the waters cover the sea.' Then shall the mists of darkness be swept away by the light of eternal truth. Then will the intelligence of Heaven beam forth on the human mind, and by it they will comprehend everything that is great, and good, and glorious.
In the meantime, it is for us to plod along the course God has dictated, yielding obedience to his divine laws, and be co-workers with him in establishing righteousness on the earth; and with feelings of charity towards all mankind, let our motto always be, 'Peace on earth and good will to men.'"
"...We expect to see the nations waste, crumble, and decay. We expect to see a universal chaos of religious and political sentiment, and an uncertainty much more serious than anything that exists at the present time. We look forward to the time; and try to help it on, when God will assert his own right with regard to the government of the earth; when, as in religious matters so in political matters, he will enlighten the minds of those that bear rule, he will teach the kings wisdom and instruct the senators by the Spirit of eternal truth; when to him 'every knee shall bow and ever tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.' Then 'shall the earth be full of knowledge like as the waters cover the sea.' Then shall the mists of darkness be swept away by the light of eternal truth. Then will the intelligence of Heaven beam forth on the human mind, and by it they will comprehend everything that is great, and good, and glorious.
In the meantime, it is for us to plod along the course God has dictated, yielding obedience to his divine laws, and be co-workers with him in establishing righteousness on the earth; and with feelings of charity towards all mankind, let our motto always be, 'Peace on earth and good will to men.'"
Just and Holy Principles, featuring Orson Pratt
"The Almighty in some degree controls among mankind, as far as they will let Him. He controls the destinies of the nations, so far as they will permit Him; yet He does not control them so far as to destroy the agency of the human family, consequently, they, through their own corrupt notions, have departed from the great principles of government given by the Lord to man in the beginning. Mankind have felt a disposition to seek after some kind of government from the one established by the Almighty; and hence, they have all rebelled against His government, and they have introduced creeds and systems of their own manufacturing." (p.20)
"'Did the Lord have a hand in the organization of the United States government?' asks the enquirer. Yes, the Lord had a hand in framing its Constitution. Why did not the Lord, at that time, introduce a perfect government -- a theocracy? It was simply because the people were not prepared for it -- they were too corrupt; and although they had more integrity, more virtue, more honesty, and more sympathy and feeling for that which is just and upright and good, than any other portion of the inhabitants of the earth, and probably more than a great many now have, yet they were far from being prepared for the government of God, which is a government of union.
They were far from that, consequently the Lord inspired them to introduce a government that He knew would be just suited to their capacity, and hence it was that, consequently the Lord inspired them to introduce a government that He knew would be just suited to their capacity, and hence it was that He inspired Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, and others to introduce those measures which they did, and to carry them out, and they were such as were just suited to the conditions and circumstances of the people; hence the government of the United States we, as a people, venerate and defend.
Why do we do this? We do it because God had His hand in the organization of it; His hand in the organization of it; He controlled it so far as He could do so without interfering with the agency of man...will the government of the United States continue for ever? No, it is not sufficiently perfect; and, notwithstanding it has been sanctioned by the Lord at a time when it was suited to the circumstances of the people, yet the day will come...when the United States government, and all others, will be uprooted, and the kingdoms of this world will be united in one, and the kingdom of our God will govern the whole earth, and bear universal sway; and no power beneath the heavens can prevent this taking place, if the Bible be true, and we know it to be true." (pp.21-22)
"'Did the Lord have a hand in the organization of the United States government?' asks the enquirer. Yes, the Lord had a hand in framing its Constitution. Why did not the Lord, at that time, introduce a perfect government -- a theocracy? It was simply because the people were not prepared for it -- they were too corrupt; and although they had more integrity, more virtue, more honesty, and more sympathy and feeling for that which is just and upright and good, than any other portion of the inhabitants of the earth, and probably more than a great many now have, yet they were far from being prepared for the government of God, which is a government of union.
They were far from that, consequently the Lord inspired them to introduce a government that He knew would be just suited to their capacity, and hence it was that, consequently the Lord inspired them to introduce a government that He knew would be just suited to their capacity, and hence it was that He inspired Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, and others to introduce those measures which they did, and to carry them out, and they were such as were just suited to the conditions and circumstances of the people; hence the government of the United States we, as a people, venerate and defend.
Why do we do this? We do it because God had His hand in the organization of it; His hand in the organization of it; He controlled it so far as He could do so without interfering with the agency of man...will the government of the United States continue for ever? No, it is not sufficiently perfect; and, notwithstanding it has been sanctioned by the Lord at a time when it was suited to the circumstances of the people, yet the day will come...when the United States government, and all others, will be uprooted, and the kingdoms of this world will be united in one, and the kingdom of our God will govern the whole earth, and bear universal sway; and no power beneath the heavens can prevent this taking place, if the Bible be true, and we know it to be true." (pp.21-22)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)