Friday, January 05, 2007
Honoring the Democrats' past
Could a man who says this ever get approved for a Judicial post with a single Democratic (or Arlen Specter’s) vote?
“It is maintained by the advocates of the bank, that its constitutionality, in all its features, ought to be considered as settled by precedent, and by the decision of the supreme court. To this conclusion I can not assent. Mere precedent is a dangerous source of authority, and should not be regarded as deciding questions of constitutional power, except where the acquiescence of the people and the states can be considered as well settled.”
How about if he also said:
“It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of heaven, and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law. But when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages, artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer, and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society, the farmers, mechanics, and laborers, who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their government. There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing.”
…could he even speak at the Democratic convention, much less get it’s nomination. Would he be said to epitomize the Democratic spirit?
Well, that man is former slave-owner Andrew Jackson, considered one of the founding spirits of today’s Democratic Party. Every year, Democrats across the country honor him and fellow slave-owner Thomas Jefferson with a Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner.
I don’t really object to such traditions but I just thought you might like some background when you read Obama to Speak at Va. Democratic Fundraiser.
“It is maintained by the advocates of the bank, that its constitutionality, in all its features, ought to be considered as settled by precedent, and by the decision of the supreme court. To this conclusion I can not assent. Mere precedent is a dangerous source of authority, and should not be regarded as deciding questions of constitutional power, except where the acquiescence of the people and the states can be considered as well settled.”
How about if he also said:
“It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of heaven, and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law. But when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages, artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer, and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society, the farmers, mechanics, and laborers, who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their government. There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing.”
…could he even speak at the Democratic convention, much less get it’s nomination. Would he be said to epitomize the Democratic spirit?
Well, that man is former slave-owner Andrew Jackson, considered one of the founding spirits of today’s Democratic Party. Every year, Democrats across the country honor him and fellow slave-owner Thomas Jefferson with a Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner.
I don’t really object to such traditions but I just thought you might like some background when you read Obama to Speak at Va. Democratic Fundraiser.
