I’m pretty much in agreement with you.

I should probably clarify that I wasn’t suggesting that the past holds no valuable lessons for the present or that knowledge of it isn’t useful as we make our way into the future. What I was trying to emphasize was that people are often too slow to criticize their country because of blind patriotism or misdirected religiosity. If we ever want this country to actually become what we pretend it has always been we have to be honest with ourselves and cop to our shortcomings.

I think one good place to start would be to stop placing the ambitious group of elitists known as The Founders on a level with Jesus Christ and to stop treating our constitution as if it were sacred scripture. It’s a pretty decent document (after much amendment) but it could still use a lot of work. As you pointed out, one of the good things about the Constitution is that it can be amended. I’ll give you that, but don’t you think the process of amending the Constitution is a bit cumbersome? Maybe the Constitution should be revised in a way that makes it easier to adapt to changing situations.

The one area of the Constitution that I think should be most resistant to revision is the Bill of Rights. It’s ironic, but those ten amendments were not even desired by the Founders. Their incorporation was considered a compromise.

One more thing I want to mention is the Founders hostile attitude to real democracy. They preferred a republican form of government because they held that the “common rabble” were too stupid to be trusted to run their own affairs. Now if that’s not an elitist position (they were elitist to their core), I don’t know what is. As a libertarian, I don’t see how we are ever going to significantly reduce government if we don’t start managing, on our own, those affairs we have so far entrusted to politicians. Greater democracy is a perfect solution to this problem (that is, once we inject honesty and objectivity back into our media).

Granted, the Constitution isn’t perfect but it’s the best document that I’ve seen yet that can keep a government from assuming complete control over everyone’s lives. And keep in mind, it can be amended. Mankind is evolving and the Constitution provides a process in which we can modify it to reflect the changing views of the people in this country. The key is individual rights and personal freedom. I believe that this was the driving force behind the creation of the Constitution and we must do whatever it takes to keep moving in that direction.

Learning is a change in behavior based on experience. Therefore we must look both behind and ahead in order to advance in a positive way.

From the Constitution:

“No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.”

What did you think the Civil War was about?

I think we need a new constitution (or some serious amendments to the present one) that unequivocally defends the Bill of Rights with some very serious penalties for any violations.

No fucking way am I a commie. If all that is required to be cosidered an anarchist is a desire to see all government abolished then you can label me an anarchist. I think I prefer “libertarian socialist” though.

I believe in the socialization of the means of production, which is different from “nationalization” because it means putting control into the hands of the people and not some state. I believe peoples’ “personal property” should be left alone, and I also do not support a perfect leveling of wealth if it will require a state to enforce it.

So, considering these things, do you think maybe you and I could fight alongside each other, or do you still think maybe I am the enemy?

Yep, you have to be pretty stupid if you think privatization is the same thing as giving control to the people.

So called “real conservatives” like this need to pull their heads out of their jingo arses. It is idiotic to portray Bush-style politics as somehow running contrary to pure Capitalism when in reality they epitomize it.

Also, what dose it even mean to say you are a “constitutionalist” and at the same time a defender of liberty. The Constitution condoned and protected slavery for Christ’s sake! That’s the reality. Absorb it and deal with it already.

Stop looking to the past for solutions that obviously cannot be found there. It’s time to start building our future.

Heed the past or be doomed to repeat it.