Should we look to the Founding Fathers for advice?

Question

"Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority...the Constitution was made to guard against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
- Noah Webster

"But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they are forming that neither the legislature, nor the nation itself can validly contract more debt, than they may pay within their own age, or within the term of 19 years." --Thomas Jefferson

In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government. ~ James Madison

When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. ~ Benjamin Franklin

The government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government. ~ James Madison

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. ~ George Washington

Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign world. ~ George Washington

No nation was ever ruined by trade, even seemingly the most disadvantageous. ~ Benjamin Franklin

Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people. ~ Thomas Jefferson

It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it. ~ George Washington

Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety ~ Benjamin Franklin

If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen. ~ Samuel Adams

If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War. ~ George Washington

America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity. That part of America which had encouraged them most had advanced most rapidly in population, agriculture and the arts. ~ James Madison

Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free ~ The Statue of Liberty

Additional Details

Ok...that last one wasn't from the Founding Fathers...

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Bravo, Skitter. So many politicians seem to have forgotten the framework from which this country was established, especially the liberal left.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

In all fairness it is not just the left, the right has its own agendas and policies that attack the ideals of liberty as laid down by our Founding Fathers.

Answer 2

If one would do that, one could not help but vote for
McCain/Palin!

Answer 3

Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb trying to decide what to have for lunch.Liberty is a well armed lamb. Ben Franklin

Source(s):

I may have the exact quote wrong but it's close enough for government work.

Support the 2nd amendment

Answer 4

Here's a quote from one of our Founding Fathers that we are obviously not paying attention to:

"Whoever attentively considers the different departments of power must perceive that, in a government in they are separated from each other, the judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous to the political rigths of the Constitution; because it will least in a capacity to annoy or injure them. ... The judiciary ... has no influence over either the sword or the purse; no direction either of the strength or the wealth of a society; and can take no active resolution whatever. It may truly be said to have neither FORCE nor WILL, but merely judgment; and must ultimately depend on the aid of the executive arm even for the efficacy of its judgements." -- Alexander Hamilton, Federalist #78.

Little could he have known what the U.S. Supreme Court would have turned into.