Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

You are correct that we shall see some of the changes will hold up as Constitutional. Several states are involved in challenges as we "speak" to the Constitutionality of the health care reform bill for just one example.

Just the very fact that states have the understanding of our great republic and separation of powers to challenge something is joyful to me. It shows that the powers held at local levels are still intact. The fact that the federal government challeges states rights makes me tremble.

I don't for a second believe the framers of the US Constitution "would support a revised, more centrist view." That centrist view is exactly what they were escaping.

What we forget when we say "Founders" is that Washington, Adams, Jackson, Clay, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, Gorham, Hamilton and others who framed a new government, didn't set sail from Great Britian to come to America to form a new nation.

Most are descendents of the original settlers who came to escape the "centrist views" in far flung lands long before the framers of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution for the colonies. Most of the 1787 delegates were natives of the Thirteen Colonies. Only 9 were born elsewhere.

I think it's important to remember that in order to understand what freedoms and liberties they risked thier lives for and sought and fought for and appreciated. To understand and appreciate this is to understand that the "Founders" would never accept government control and a forced health care system or even social services paid for by forced taxation.

And remember, Jefferson wasn't our only framer of this nation. He was one of many with many different views on what would be a great federalist republic. That is the whole premise to the government we have today. It isn't a democracy where the majority rules.

As to the banks and unions and cooperations and Wall Street, if we had stayed true the course of the Constitution and not veered on the Progressive path, there wouldn't be a discussion of Jefferson railing against these very separate issues you mentioned.

I think the history of the creation of the US Coast Guard (The Revenue Cutter Service) is very important and gives much insight into true American history. Not what we are spoon fed today. Read about John Hancock's slope The Liberty.

Sorry to be so wordy.