On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass offered up an oration on the meaning of July 4th to slaves. He condemned the hypocrisy of the American republic for fighting for the equality and liberty of all men while imposing slavery. Then, of the constitution, he said this:
You wrote: "In fact, the founders themselves realized slavery was hypocritical, but they felt the need to dispense with Great Britain before dealing with slavery." They needed unanimity for the Declaration of Independence to be taken seriously by all 13 colonies. Alas, Georgia and South Carolina opposed any negative mention of slavery, and were the two most vocal of the desire to count slaves for census purposes in the Constitution, so we got no mention of slavery in the Declaration despite Jefferson's first draft condemnation of the practice, and the Three-Fifths Compromise in the Constitution. Then, we, to use the modern phrase, kicked the can down the road until December 1860, when we had no choice but to confront it, at a horrific price.
As for that chart, It confirms my belief that just as South Carolina's secession forced the Union to consider its dissolution and just how far apart North and South had become, so to did the left's brisk march to the extremes result in conservatives' moving more towards constitutionalism, and less towards any hope of reconciliation. And just as in 1860, we are again confronted with the question of how to confront it.
I woke up this morning with melancholy. On Monday's I typically have coffee with some friends, friends with which I can no longer discuss politics. You see, I'm conservative/classical liberal, some might say libertarian who is anti-Trump. So, politically I belong to a very small tribe, a tribe that loves America, its founding and the ideas of the Enlightenment, but not Donald Trump. So, I skipped the coffee this morning. If politics had come up, I would not have been good company for my Trump supporting friends. Post January 6 I have no patience for Trump loving people. Perhaps it's a character flaw. I apologize.
This is a very good essay, Erick. I hope it accurately reflects the potential direction of our politics and culture. But with which party are these voters going to identify?
Seventy-Four million people voted for Trump. I don't know how many of those identify as Republicans. Post January 6 polls indicate that 80% of Republicans support Trump. I've seen this quoted in both right-wing and left-wing publications. I'm not an adherent of any of the Abrahamic religions but I'd feel a lot better if I saw some calls for prayers to enlighten those Christians who think Donald Trump is the savior of the Republican Party, he's not. Between November 3, 2020 and January 6,2021 he planted the seeds of its demise. We need a viable conservative political party for patriots . Pray for that.
This was a good article Eric. But why are you surprised? This is who the left has always been. When you are the anti-God party isn’t this exactly what you get. There is no good in Satan and right now the Democratic Party is following his orders.
I remember the fight over state flags and statues of all kinds and no doubt the rest of you do as well. We will have to admit the left won lots of those battles. Why would it surprise any of you that the stars and stripes is next. All of our traditions, values and customs that have made this country great are under attack and have been for years. Church attendance, Bible reading and prayer, Saying the pledge of of alliance everyday may seem like small things. Prov. 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he will not depart from it. We have let these things slip. The left has come for our children. They are the future of our country. Dan
You say you are not nut picking but you are doing exactly that. Using Bush to broadstroke the left, when the left uses MTG to broadstroke the right. Typical hypocrisy. 3rd party now!
I actually have an acquaintance (white) who said the flag instills fear in her when she sees people raising it in her neighborhood. I just about fell off my chair. The liberal left chooses to put its collective head in a very dark (and smelly) place and then broadcasts lies about the Constitution, the National Anthem, the Flag, and the Founding Father. And they wonder why there is chaos and violence in the streets?
You wrote: "In fact, the founders themselves realized slavery was hypocritical, but they felt the need to dispense with Great Britain before dealing with slavery." They needed unanimity for the Declaration of Independence to be taken seriously by all 13 colonies. Alas, Georgia and South Carolina opposed any negative mention of slavery, and were the two most vocal of the desire to count slaves for census purposes in the Constitution, so we got no mention of slavery in the Declaration despite Jefferson's first draft condemnation of the practice, and the Three-Fifths Compromise in the Constitution. Then, we, to use the modern phrase, kicked the can down the road until December 1860, when we had no choice but to confront it, at a horrific price.
As for that chart, It confirms my belief that just as South Carolina's secession forced the Union to consider its dissolution and just how far apart North and South had become, so to did the left's brisk march to the extremes result in conservatives' moving more towards constitutionalism, and less towards any hope of reconciliation. And just as in 1860, we are again confronted with the question of how to confront it.
The left no longer serves any culturally positive purpose. Whether they realize it or not, their days are numbered.
Excellent commentary, Erick! I'm keeping this one to re-read when I feel I'm losing my mind and my country. These people are insane.......
It is nut picking. She’s on the fringe. The right has them as well.
I woke up this morning with melancholy. On Monday's I typically have coffee with some friends, friends with which I can no longer discuss politics. You see, I'm conservative/classical liberal, some might say libertarian who is anti-Trump. So, politically I belong to a very small tribe, a tribe that loves America, its founding and the ideas of the Enlightenment, but not Donald Trump. So, I skipped the coffee this morning. If politics had come up, I would not have been good company for my Trump supporting friends. Post January 6 I have no patience for Trump loving people. Perhaps it's a character flaw. I apologize.
This is a very good essay, Erick. I hope it accurately reflects the potential direction of our politics and culture. But with which party are these voters going to identify?
Seventy-Four million people voted for Trump. I don't know how many of those identify as Republicans. Post January 6 polls indicate that 80% of Republicans support Trump. I've seen this quoted in both right-wing and left-wing publications. I'm not an adherent of any of the Abrahamic religions but I'd feel a lot better if I saw some calls for prayers to enlighten those Christians who think Donald Trump is the savior of the Republican Party, he's not. Between November 3, 2020 and January 6,2021 he planted the seeds of its demise. We need a viable conservative political party for patriots . Pray for that.
This was a good article Eric. But why are you surprised? This is who the left has always been. When you are the anti-God party isn’t this exactly what you get. There is no good in Satan and right now the Democratic Party is following his orders.
I remember the fight over state flags and statues of all kinds and no doubt the rest of you do as well. We will have to admit the left won lots of those battles. Why would it surprise any of you that the stars and stripes is next. All of our traditions, values and customs that have made this country great are under attack and have been for years. Church attendance, Bible reading and prayer, Saying the pledge of of alliance everyday may seem like small things. Prov. 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he will not depart from it. We have let these things slip. The left has come for our children. They are the future of our country. Dan
You say you are not nut picking but you are doing exactly that. Using Bush to broadstroke the left, when the left uses MTG to broadstroke the right. Typical hypocrisy. 3rd party now!
I actually have an acquaintance (white) who said the flag instills fear in her when she sees people raising it in her neighborhood. I just about fell off my chair. The liberal left chooses to put its collective head in a very dark (and smelly) place and then broadcasts lies about the Constitution, the National Anthem, the Flag, and the Founding Father. And they wonder why there is chaos and violence in the streets?
Excellent article, Erick.