If the Framers were able to come back and see America today, what do you think they would say?

Question

And in no way am I implying that with a negative connotation.

Answer 1

I think they would be appalled at the way the government operates, & the total ignorance of the president.

Answer 2

They would get physically ill and would be in immediate need of medical attention and treatment for shock! A full dose of America would overwhelm their sense and love for further sustaining life and they would clearly know the republic they gave this once great nation was misused by modern day politicians to the detriment of everything they stood for concerning freedom, liberty and moral values. The framers would bow their heads in disgust, shame and bewilderment!

Answer 3

they would hang their heads, and wonder were it went wrong.
then they would remember that they warned us....and we don't listen....
"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; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the 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

Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government.
James Madison
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
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
Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road it will pass to destruction, to wit: by consolidation of power first, and then corruption, its necessary consequence.
Thomas Jefferson

Answer 4

I think they would be upset by the lack of church and state separation, and the imposition of the Jesus based religions into our government.
But, you do not have to get the Framers back, just go back and read what they wrote themselves.
Here is a good website for that and another one about the Jesus religions:

Answer 5

The framers of the Constitution were very committed to personal and individual rights. That is why were have the bill of rights. Because they were of a stronger intellect that what were have now in the White House they may express concerns about the use of torture. they may express concerns of over-reaching by the executive branch. Remember George Washington was very much against tortue and cruel and unusual punishment.

Answer 6

I have often wondered that.

there are a lot of flip answers on the board already, and I agree with many of them, but this is a more serious answer.

I think they would be astounded at the power of the Federal Government and the central role of the President who they intended to "preside" over the union and not govern it.

But then I believe they would see the complexity of society today and temper their initial thoughts by the realization that a more powerful central government than they envisioned is necessary to govern this country.

But they still would not like it very much..........

Answer 7

They would be saying that this is not what we envisioned. Since when did corporations and banks get individual rights and special access to the people's government? Who put the fox in charge of the hen house? And, who put the wolves in charge of the entire farm?

Answer 8

The would be pleased that their Constitution is still in effect, although they would be disappointed to see how big the government has grown.
Since communism and socialism still hadn't been developed in their time, they would probably be alarmed at how so many people were willing to give up their freedom in order to have the government take care of them.

Answer 9

They would be impressed with our standard of living, our technology and our military. They would be disappointed in seeing homeless people, the cost of living, the "ME" way of thinking which permeates our culture, the disdain in which the rest of the world holds us, and the way in which the current administration has eroded our constitutional protections.

Answer 10

I think they would be utterly astonished. But it would be hard to predict their opinions because of all the cultural and technological changes that have transpired. I'm not sure whether they would have positive or negative commentary, or both - and where. My gut instinct is that overall, they would be rather proud of themselves.