Does this quote from James Madison ring true today or is it an old truth from our Revolution?
"Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes...known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. . . No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare."
- James Madison, Political Observations, 1795
2007-10-04 15:17:35 · 11 answers · asked by michaelsan 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Yes it rings true today.
Doesn't it just amaze you how history repeats itself. I mean we are told that growing up then later in life and we think, '... yeah yeah right sure sure...' Then as we begin to educate ourselves and study things for ourself, suddenly in the back of our minds we hear a grandparent or one of our old college professors saying those words, '.. history repeats itself...'
It's at the very moment that we were feeling so wise that we had figured this out... thinking all by ourselves... that we suddenly realize we know nothing.
Is it humane nature... is it a plan.... what is it that makes us humans never seem to learn... to repeat over and over and over again the same mistakes.
Madison saw this. He knew. He saw that war is just a tool for employment when an economy is hidden on the edge of collapse.... it brings jobs and bolsters collapsing companies.
He saw that freedoms that we hold dear are surrendered for the 'cause'... for the patriotism that war demands from its citizens.
He saw that it is not a nation that goes to war but a single man with a cabinet behind him. He saw that war, while providing jobs of the moment, resulted in debt for the next to come.
And the big question is: how did he know? Was Madison some genious before his time... no. He knew because he had studied history and it taught him this...
Why do so few pay attention...are we that do pay attention the true elite? Or are we the ones, because we see, that suffer the most...
2007-10-04 21:30:58 · answer #1 · answered by BeachBum 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
During the American War of 1812, the British Army was in America, and even took over the White House. Given the opportunity to start checking people's mail, much like the Patriot Act does today, the President refused. Risk is the price of Liberty. Total security only comes in totalitarian states.
2007-10-04 15:23:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Madison and Jefferson gave us the tools to build greatness, or to destroy ourselves, I'm not sure we are on the right path.
I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion. Thomas Jefferson
I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.
Thomas Jefferson
It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad.
James Madison
2007-10-04 15:32:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
the way that I take that's to renowned that everyone seems to be imperfect. we don't understand why they act the way that they do. I fall short because of the fact i won't be able to assert that i admire all, like i'm meant to. i in my opinion do not think of i'm greater useful than anybody else. i could like my way of dealing with issues greater useful and am happy i don't sin in specific techniques that others do yet who's to assert i'm greater useful? inspite of the shown fact that, i don't hate them - I understand that throughout basic terms God knows of their hearts and we are actually not called to choose. Love is a sturdy notice yet there are diverse modifications of that notice. I do the excellent that i will and that's all i will do. i in my opinion have not got any enemies. different than devil. and that i don't could love him :) i in my opinion sense sorry for him yet have faith he's gonna get what he merits interior the top!
2016-10-21 02:12:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any action against freedom is already an act of war.
When you can't even speak freely without being bum rushed by a fascist mob, that should tell you something.
And furthermore every dictator has supported gun control just prior to assuming the role of dictator.
A country without borders isn't a country.
Especially when it is done in dictatorial fashion without the people's consent.
.
2007-10-04 15:23:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sure. It reminds me of an ancient story of an angel that sets out to destroy ultimate evil only to become what he tried to destroy. His name was Lucifer of course.
War can be seen in the same light especially, this war. Some Americans in the zealousness to be seen loyal, have turned on there own fellow Americans accusing them of being the terrorists. The sad part is, from that statement, the left will think I'm speaking of the right and right will think I'm speaking of the left.
2007-10-04 15:21:11 · answer #6 · answered by God 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Madison took his navy of 100 ships and declared war on a country that had 10,000 ships and promptly got his house burned down. Yes, the White House. If not for the hurricane that followed, the entire city of Washington would have been burned.
Madison was perhaps our worst president. I don't put much stock in anything he said.
2007-10-04 15:23:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
It is not a mystery that every aspect of war is simply destructive. We can't seem to get it out of the way either. Must be addictive LOL...........
2007-10-04 15:24:12 · answer #8 · answered by Beyondaverage B 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Dem== party>
2007-10-04 15:20:48 · answer #9 · answered by 45 auto 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Wow!
He was smart way before his time
2007-10-04 15:23:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋