Blog: Is Our Nation a Spoiled and Defiant Child?

Statement

If you acknowledge George Washington as the father of our nation then we must be his spoiled and defiant children. In his farewell speech the first President of this great nation warned us of things we should as a nation not do. We have, over the course of 200 plus years, done everything we were told not to! He began his warning with the preservation of the Union -- "To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, a Government for the whole is indispensable." Yet we had to fight a civil war to preserve the Union.

Second he warned us against Party Politics when he said "Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy." Yet we have been locked in Republican vs. Democrat Monopoly of power for over 150 years.

Third he warned us about the separation of powers in the Federal Government, he said; "It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution, in those intrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another." Yet today we have the Executive passing law via regulations of the departments set up under it.

The fourth warning was of abandoning religion and morality; "Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports." Yet today we argue about school prayer and the Ten Commandments on a courthouse.

Fifth our nation's father warned us to set up institutions for the dissemination of knowledge to the people "Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge." We have done this, however we failed to pass Constitutional Amendments to allow the federal government to take on this power as in the warning of; "If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way, which the constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for, though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed."

Washington went on to warn us of our nations credit; "As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit." Yet today we are running a 1.5 Trillion dollar deficit and have a national debt of 14 Trillion dollars.

He then turned his attention to the stage of foreign affairs; "Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all." Yet we have a national policy of intervention around the globe.

He did warn us against foreign influence when he said; "Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens,) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove, that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government." And our Department of Justice has recommended that several nations be allowed to join in the lawsuit filed by the Federal Government against one of the states.

Our nation's father warned us not to do these things, yet we as the disobedient children have in turn done everything we were told not to do. Have we learned our lesson? Only time will tell if the mistakes of our adolescence can be overcome and we become a mature and wiser nation.

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