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| England was
in their blood |
Even though the revolution sparked a divine moment in the long lineage of human history, the founders were up against a formidable pattern of English governmental structure, which included a entrenched political party system, complete with all the trappings of politics and favoritism. |
| The Royal system
was firmly engrained |
Two hundred years of English rule were firmly ingrained in several generations of colonists. Though many had never lived in England, they were naturally immersed in both the culture and the political process. Even though they did not like many aspects of the process, they were a part of it. |
| The call for
Independence caused a deep and bitter division |
Another thing that has to be considered is that not all the people in this country at the time of the revolution were for it or against the established political process. The Revolution was fought on several levels, dividing communities and families much like the later Civil War. Militarily, the patriots won. But even when it was over, the loyalists were not thrilled over the loss of their processes, titles and appointments, which set the stage for events that would happen in a little over one generation after this country was formed. |
| New visions
versus Old habits |
The groups of patriots and loyalists polarized into factions that primarily focused on preserving their own interests; the patriots wanting to establish an entirely new citizen controlled, limited government while the loyalists wanted to keep the status quo of royalty instigated political hierarchies with those in power maintaining complete control. |
| Winning the
Revolution was just the beginning |
Within two years of winning the Revolution, the country was struggling again. Postwar peacetime was a turbulent time. Many factions were working to exploit their own agendas. Knowing all this, one starts to get a sense that the providence of God was about to reveal itself again. |
| The
Constitutional Convention |
The exploits of the Constitutional Convention while well documented are sadly not well known today. Just getting the new states to convene a convention was a major task. Once done it was a precarious time, with several states threatening to not participate. Needless to say the divinely inspired Christian patriots prevailed and created a form of government never before conceived or actualized anywhere in the world. |
| Ominous
Warnings |
Many notable items were discussed and implemented. One fundamental issue of interest here concerned the political parties. The founders warned their fellow citizens - and us if we care to read their writings - not to allow political parties to return to a place of prominence in our governmental process. They knew, from their exhaustive studies, that political parties created barriers not solutions; that the parties themselves demanded loyalty and allegiance. |
| Keep any
political parties from our governmental processes |
They understood and explained how easily the masses could be manipulated, which was why they created the Elector process that put honorable, knowledgeable men in a position to choose the president, all without the influence of political parties or popular demands. Again, their studies showed them that democracies failed quickly and violently because it was impossible to get and keep all the people fully interested and informed enough to create good results. |
| Trust,
honorable service and limited involvement encouraged |
Essentially the founders created a process devoid of political parties or purely democratic processes. They continually - through word and deed - encouraged honest, Christian men to fulfill the duties of leadership. They created a system of government which is still unique - 214 years later. It was completely controlled by the citizens; it was very limited in scope and power; it was balanced, having the citizens and the states where they reside, sharing the power in the Congress. |
| Do you recognize
any of these traits today? |
Do you know enough about then and now to recognize the differences between these traits and the current structure? As earlier mentioned, it took only about one generation for the citizens to slip back into their old ways. The first political party election occurred in 1832; the first popular vote election in 1844(?) The original dream of the founders struggled and foundered within 50 years of this country's constitutional birth. |
| You have
a choice |
You, today, 214 years after the implementation of our unique constitutional form of government, or to put it another way - 7 generations after that implementation - are in a position, with the aid of hindsight, to compare what the founders originally intended and briefly demonstrated to what has evolved. |
| But are you
interested enough? |
Would you like to live in a country where your collective values were more important than national party policies? Are you willing to work toward that . . . . for yourself and your family? |
| A unique
opportunity is at hand |
You, as an American in these turbulent times, are in a unique position to right many wrongs overlooked by previous generations. All it will take is enlightenment, focus and determination. Interesting, that's what it took for the founders as well. |