To paraphrase Mort Sahl: There were four million people in the American colonies in 1776 and we had giants like Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison and Monroe. (Monroe was 19). These were men who led the opposition to a ruthless dictator’s powerful military machine, the greatest power the world had ever known, and they won. Now the United States has a population of 350 million, and we’re left to choose between a delusional old man who brags about becoming a dictator and an even older man who some think is too old, but who at least believes in rules.
Was Darwin wrong, or is this the risk of Democracy? Populists can get votes by promising the people things they want, or who can be convinced, in spite of evidence, to think they want. In 1776 they also had a great leader, General George Washington and self-sacrificing troops who had little military experience. In some jurisdictions only white male landowners who belonged to the right church could vote. Those with power seldom surrender any.
The founders knew that the structure that won their freedom was fragile so in the summer of 1787 fifty-five delegates locked themselves in Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia with the windows closed, no AC. They created the Constitution that has held our republic together for 234 years. Most of them were prominent planters or businessmen. There were some disappointments, and many of the delegates were slave owners who refused to give up slavery. (Franklin was 85.)
In 1812 Britain tried to refight the war and lost again. Madison (54) was president, followed by Monroe, the last president from among the original founders.
Slavery, and the inherent inequality, were difficult issues. This weakened the Democratic party and led to the rise and fall of the Whig party and the Union party, which later became the Republican, party. Southern Democrats were pro-slavery, and after the civil war they were pro-segregation.
Until 1890 party comittees chose the presidential candidates, often behind closed doors in smoke-filled rooms. They chose from people they knew and trusted, and who weren’t always in the nation’s best interests. Then, a progressive movement led to the introduction of primaries, to allow the people to choose. In 1789 people were not likely to be well-informed, so a system of delegates and electors was designed to limit their direct participation and to concentrate power to the establishment. As communication improved the people demanded a larger voice.
The Republican party was more pro-rights until after Eisenhower enforced Brown v Board of education in 1954, and Lyndon Johnson Signed the Civil Rights Act in 1962. Now the party positions on those issues have switched. With most of the pro-rights activists identifying as Democrats. Most of the proposals that limit rights now are coming from recalsitrans that identify as conservative Republicans. What they conserve is not clear.
Slowly the power devolved from the smoke-filled rooms to the people. This happened more quickly in the United States than almost everywhere else because the people were armed. In Europe people were terrified of travel through the woods at night, because there were wolves. Remember the Grimm tales, where the Big Bad Wolf is the villain? Armed Americans felt less threatened. Maybe the wolves were afraid of them. The Supreme Court is now poised to rule on bump stocks and other tricks that make semi-automatic weapons operate fully automatically. If SCOTUS is consistent with past rulings, like United States v. Miller 1939, they should declare them not protected by the Second Amendment, because they, like machine guns, are not like those carried by ordinary soldiers —except in the movies— and therefore not suitable for use in a militia.
But I digress.
Where are the powerful leaders we need today? Some are working hard for their constituents. Often, these are governors or senators whose party is the opposite of the legislature. Others are wealthy people who dispense vast sums via charities, like Bill Gates, Dolly Parton, Jeff Bezos, Oprah, Larry Ellison, and Keanu Reeves to name a few. Gates for one says he can do more good outside government channels thus circumventing their endless political requirements.
Likewise, those truly powerful in government often feel they could accomplish their mission more efficiently without the bureaucracy in their way. Unfortunately, so can evildoers, like El Chapo. So we need the rule of law, due process and a free press to expose the cheaters.
Ken Obenski is a forensic engineer, now safety and freedom advocate in South Kona. He writes a biweekly column for West Hawaii Today. Send feedback to obenskik@gmail.com