Unassuming Franklin

[eggwards]

I kind of feel like this guy today.

Comments

[teddyb]

I wish more Americans would do the reading you've been doing about the Founding Fathers. I know I got a whole lot greater appreciation for who they were, what they thought and what an amazing thing they created in establishing the American form of government and the US Constitution when I did more study of them after what I'd learned in my school days.

I'm willing to bet that if more Americans were more familiar with this history, people would be a lot more pissed off and would be demanding better government now than what we have. (I say "we" because, even tough I am now also a Canadian citizen and live in Canada, I was born an American and will always be an American, although I'm ashamed to say so after hearing about the Libby deal today.)

I love reading about Ben Franklin. He was such an amazing man, and many of his pithy quotes are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them.

[eggwards]

Franklin was truly the everyman, and I think that facinates people. He wasn't a priviledged landowner when he started, but he represents more of the American Dream of hard work and building himself up. By the end of his life he's a very wealthy man for America, but he seemed to be humble about it...though he did enjoy his fame. I don't think many Americans know the work he did in France, or that he signed the four most important documents in the founding of our nation, The Declaration, The treaty with France, The peace treaty with Britain and the Constitution

[furrytxcub]

I am mildly curious about that historical era. Are there any good biographies you'd recommend? It can't be dull and dry or I'll never get through it.

I can read just about anything about Broadway and never get bored...but with almost anything else, it can be quite a challenge.

[blackwingbear]

I recommend DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY. It's fascinating.

[furrytxcub]

That looks intriguing. Thank you, sir! I'll make a trip to Half Price Books tomorrow. :)

[blackwingbear]

It was the book that "woke me up" to the history of people-manipulating-people that America truly has.

[blackwingbear]

Time for another revolution, I say..

[eggwards]

I'm going to disagree. The governmental system is still worthwile, but it needs a really good cleaning. There needs to be a bigger version of the Clinton Gore cost cutting effort, looking at governmental waste in all aspects of government. No sacred cows, period. If it doesn't work, fix it or get rid of it.

The problem isn't the system, but the people in it. When it takes 100 million dollars to run for president, you know the way we have people run for these offices is f-ed up. How can you have someone raise 100 million dollars and not be beholden to party, orginizations and special interests? You can't.

The founding fathers were split on the question of only letting weatly landowners run for office, but people like Franklin battled against that, realizing that the rise of the middle class was what brought America to independence. How shcocked they'd bee seeing that it is truly the wealthy who've taken over and rule without concern to how things affect the middle and lower classes.

[blackwingbear]

At this point, can it truly be 'cleaned'?

[eggwards]

I guess that would be the other side of it. Hamilton, born in the West indies was the original overachiver looking to creat a new Monarcy and drastically extend the power of the Federal government. He really was what makes a modern politician,isn't he?

[rafdfw]

The Quick E Mart is supposed to be at Hillcrest and Northwest Hwy, near Northpark Mall. I was going to try and go there tomorrow, but it may have to wait until the weekend.