if the founding fathers were liberal by the modern definition please explain how they held modern con values?

Answer 1

They were not liberal by the modern definition. They were Libertarians. They also believed in the Constitution as it is written, just as modern conservatives do. They are probably rolling in their graves after all the judicial activism that has trampled the Constitution, especially the 10th amendment.

Answer 2

Our founders were Classical Liberals, in the sense they opposed English rule. Today's modern Liberals bear no resemblance to the founders.

Even Jefferson, an admitted Deist, recognized a Creator God and a common social morality based on Judao-Christian principles.

In my view, the central debate has always been State's rights v. big government. No matter what label was used.

I blame public education that today's kids don't know any of this.

Answer 3

LMAO.. wow there's a lot of ignorant answers here. My favorite is the guy with the "BA in History" ROTFLMAO

They didn't hold modern con values. Modern cons just don't have the guts to admit they want the Constitution changed so that they can force people to go to a christian church.

They didn't hold modern lib values either. There is nothing in the Constitution that allows for excessive social programs and big government. In fact, big government is one thing they definitely wanted to avoid.

Answer 4

They obviously had a mix of conservative and liberal beliefs. There was nothing neo-conservative about them and the majority were hardcore liberals. The right the bear arms in the 18th century was related to the necessity of a militia. In fact, if you look at the second amendment you'll notice that the whole reason they had a right to bear arms was so that we could have a defensive militia, not a bunch of drunken gun nuts. Also notice that they opposed the introduction of religion to government. Many of themselves were religious, many of them weren't, but as you will notice in the treaty of Tripoli they believed the united states was "in no way a Christian nation"

Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

Answer 5

They didn't
For example:
>Cons consider spying on citizens without warrents okay. The founding fathers didn't.
>Cons think torture is acceptable. The founding fathers didn't.
>Cons want a "Christian nation" instead of freedom of religion. The founding fathers didn't.
>Cons think the president is a dictator. The founding fathers didn't.

Cons, like Bush, regard the values our founding fathers fought for and the Constitution, mere conveniences to be abandoned at the first sign of a threat. Our founding fathers were willing to put their love of freedom first--at the risk of their own lives. The cons whine and plead for a police state because some demented camel herders blew up some buildings.

Answer 6

And what values would that be?

America's was the first 100% secular government ever created. There is not a single reference to Christianity, God, or Jesus anywhere in the US Constitution.

And, the following was passed unanimously and without dissent by the 1797 US Congress and signed into law by President John Adams.


ARTICLE 11. “AS THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS NOT IN ANY SENSE FOUNDED ON THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION,....”

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/barbary/bar1796t.htm

Article VI of the US Constitution dictates that elected officials swear oath to the (secular) Constitution – not any religious document, belief, or diety.

In addition to not trusting organized religion, the Founding Fathers also did not trust a national military – hence they put it under revolving civilian authority and, in the 2nd Amendment, gave states the right to arm themselves (so that they might protect themselves from national military control).

Answer 7

That answer cant be explained because they didnt hold modern con values. Is that your head on your shoulders?? With the cons in control of the congress and the presidency there has been more cases of corruption than ever. Todays cons tell you what you want to hear and do the opposite. I'm sorry but you may think they have the same values as you but they dont. Do you still have a bush/cheney bimper sticker on your vehicle????

Answer 8

They were liberal because they wanted change (from the British system). They hold modern conservative values, which have now been around for a long time. Conservatives don't want change, liberals do. This is different from the specific values.

Answer 9

Does not compute. It's hard to know what you mean by "modern con values"

Answer 10

They were liberal about individual freedom, conservative about the size and role of the federal government. Check out the federalist papers to see their arguments behind ratifying the Constitution, and what the clauses within the Constitution mean...