Why such a big deal about the Founding Fathers?

Question

And what they would think of modern America?

Most of the FF owned slaves. They didn't think women or men without property should be able to vote. They created the Electoral College that most everyone wants to get rid of.

And I seriously doubt they would support things like gay marriage and abortion.

So why the big deal from liberals about what the FF would think of modern America? They'd be nearly as opposed to your beliefs as they would be to the neocon ones.

Perhaps I should have made my own position clear.

No, I don't believe slavery is correct or that women should not be allowed to vote. I am not a neocon.

I just thought it was odd to see many liberals saying "The Founding Fathers should be outraged at what you want" while not acknowledging the reverse is true as well.

Answer 1

You're right that's why there's nothing in the constitution about who can vote for the president.

Actually they'd be opposed to most of what both the Democrats and Republicans state for. They came up with the idea of limited government. The Republicrats want unlimited government, the ony issue that separates them is which group gets to run the unlimited government.

1831, John C. Calhoun, “ Stripped of all its covering, the naked question is, whether ours is a federal or consolidated government; a constitutional or absolute one; a government resting solidly on the basis of the sovereignty of the States, or unrestrained will of a majority; a form of government as in all other unlimited ones, in which injustice, violence, and force must ultimately pervail.”

Answer 2

However imperfect they were, the founding fathers showed a lot of courage. Had the Americans not won the Revolutionary War, the founding fathers would have been executed as traitors. After a false start with the Articles of Confederation, they created a Constitution that could change and grow over time. I think some of them would find a lot to love about modern America. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and other founding fathers were well-rounded men with diverse interests. Along with building a nation, they were inventors and innovators in many other fields as well. Sure, some things about modern America might shock them, but it might not be the things you think.

Answer 3

The Founding Fathers lived through the tyranny of religion. That is why Thomas Jefferson wrote the "Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom". The Pope gave inquisitors the power to torture suspects until they confessed. Some forms of torture included: "Slowly dismembering and dislocating the body", "The Rack", "The Hoist", "Water torture", ovens were used to burn people, and "Victims were thrown into a pit full of snakes and buried". If a person survived all this and did not confess, then they would be burned at the stake.

Answer 4

Really?

They wrote the constitution to be an evolving document that would grow with the times. They knew - even back then - that times and things would change.

Now, let me get this straight:
- You think slavery is an acceptable thing?
- You think that if you don't own property, you shouldn't vote?

The reason for the "big deal about the Founding Fathers" is to speak about the spirit of the things they wrote. Again, they wanted things to grow with the times - the Constitution is an example. Though it was written hundreds of years ago, it is still the basis of our nation's laws. THAT is the "big deal".

Answer 5

The founding fathers had new ideas. Their ideas started a revolution that would spark change. Yes, they still believed very bias ideas but they were on the right track.

Think about it, yesterday's radicals are today's conservatives.
Rock and Roll was thought to be a crazy fad that wouldn't last.
African Americans once were thought to have no intelligent thought and be less than human.
The world was round, Columb us was going to fall off.
Women were once supposed to only keep house and raise children.

Answer 6

i could no longer agree greater! Freedom of decision! Im seeing further and extra Medicinal Marijuana questions shooting up on Yahoo solutions, and Im happy to work out the Herb community is finally starting to be. it's time the usual public take this into their very very own hands and initiate organizing non violent protests. Spreading the be conscious and showing our governments that they are able to't hide interior the shadows consistently!

Answer 7

The big deal is, is that this country is not being run as they founded it. You have the courts making politcal decisions and interpretting the constitution in ways they never meant it to be. Giving the courts power when it was not meant for them to have any. And the people very little when they are supposed to have all.

Answer 8

Well it is self explanatory. They founded our country, and set the guidelines for years to come. Granted they would definite be ashamed of some of the things that are going on today, but look how your parents grew up as opposed to how we live. Its just evolution.

Answer 9

Do your homework!

Read the Declaration of Independence!

Read the Constitution of the United States.

They all faced charges of treason to the British Empire
and would have been summarily executed if caught.

Their actions made it possible for you to ask dumb questions like this one.

Answer 10

Both sides attempt to use the founding fathers to spin doctor their own agenda. Just as in all wars both sides say, at the beginning, GOD is on their side. Both side would be struck down in terror if GOD actually answered saying what his position was.