Bird Droppings November 5, 2010
What was he really trying to say?

“Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things.” Alexander Hamilton

As I looked through news this morning many of the situations go back to ideas and thoughts begun by Hamilton so many years ago. As first Secretary of the Treasury he set about working with a huge national debt from the Revolutionary War and established many policies and laws that govern us now.

“In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.” Alexander Hamilton

While believing in a strong federal government – Hamilton also believe in honesty and fairness

“In the general course of human nature, a power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will.” Alexander Hamilton

While written long before welfare and government subsidies it is interesting how Hamilton saw humanity. I was reading this morning about cuts in many federal programs for example the Tea Party is in favor of, in order to try and cut deficits and not raise taxes. Ralph Nader years ago had a good one cut all of Washington’s benefits and see what happens. While an indirect lobbying method, imagine the effect of telling a group of people we are cutting your medical care and all of their benefits. Imagine now a population who perhaps could be motivated. I wonder how they will vote in an election year and or do they even have a voice. Revoke the health car bill and all perks for congress and senate as well. See how that flies.

“It is the advertiser who provides the paper for the subscriber. It is not to be disputed, that the publisher of a newspaper in this country, without a very exhaustive advertising support, would receive less reward for his labor than the humblest mechanic.” Alexander Hamilton

It is sad that we live in a time when news is bought and sold much like any other commodity, as are politicians and popular opinion sadly.

“Man is reasoning rather than a reasonable animal.” Alexander Hamilton

Cunning might even be a better word as I look at even Hamilton’s life ending in a duel with the then vice president.

“Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.” Alexander Hamilton

I see this every day in education in a student’s life in a high school in families and worse in those who supposedly govern us in this country. It is almost like spoiled children. Why would a congressman from Texas want so adamantly to drill in Alaska I wonder about such things?

“Real firmness is good for anything; strut is good for nothing.” Alexander Hamilton

Over the years of watching humanity you do see those little bantam like fools who strut around flashing and smiling and oh yeah I am the man, sort of fellows. Some might say those who sport fake tans and smile all the time sort of people. But is it real? Hamilton saw through the strut and had a real firmness in an interesting set of words.

“The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right. Give therefore to the first class a distinct permanent share in the government… Can a democratic assembly who annually revolve in the mass of the people be supposed steadily to pursue the public good?” Alexander Hamilton

Perhaps this is where I disagree with Hamilton. Yet within our structure of government we do have a class system. Wealthy attorneys and professionals who in effect run our government do often become indirectly wealthier. It seems very few elected official leave office in worse shape than when they went in. Vice President Cheney’s company from before his vice president day is reaping far greater profits than ever before and with contracts in the billions to be in Iraq, army bases, and many places around the globe. The construction company that received a 500 million dollar contract to build a bigger embassy in Afganistan has been building huge facilities for the government for some time. I wonder if soldiers will ever come home. I also wonder what Mr. Cheney’s stock portfolio will be worth when he retires some day.

“Those who do not industrialize become hewers of wood and haulers of water.” Alexander Hamilton

This is a prophecy from 300 years ago and still very much true. When you look at third world countries wood goes first then the economy unless that country industrializes – Yet in the losing of forest and jungles often so much more is lost

“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.” Alexander Hamilton

Perhaps it is in our indifference we lose. Perhaps it is in our voting in such low turn outs. If we truly believed in this country and in what it stands for would we not all vote and participate in having a voice. I found an old newsletter from a student organization eight years ago entitled “The Voice”. In 1804 Hamilton offended the Vice President and a duel was arranged. Aaron Burr and Hamilton met in a meadow in New Jersey one morning.
Hamilton shot his pistol in the air. Burr shot Hamilton in the stomach and he died the next day. The Vice President had to escape charges for murder that were pressed. Over the years Hamilton’s ideas and thoughts have blossomed. The US Coast Guard, US Navy, many treasury processes and concepts go back directly to Hamilton. But as I finish up this morning this last quote is so significant for us today.

“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.” Alexander Hamilton –

We have to take a stand; otherwise we will simply fall by the wayside. Please keep all in harms way on your mind and in your hearts.
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