George Washington said "Organized political parties will be the end of our freedom!" Why would he say such a thing and why have we not heeded his words. In this, as much of what the founders said and did, was after looking at the history of England, so we would not make the same mistakes. The Bill of Rights flies in the face of a political party driven repressive government, such as England had, and has, as we also embraced much to our peril. I will share some personal and historic examples.
I spent 9 years in Lansing, Mi. where I was officed next door to the Republican State Central Committee. I actively worked with and for them for years (naive as I was). I was there when the partiy's candidate for Governor was, to say the least, left leaning (a card carrying member of the ACLU). I asked one of the party leaders why we would support such a candidate as was told "first we get them elected, then we worry about what they stand for". During that Governor's tenure more state buildings were erected that in the states total history, a large downtown hotel was bought and converted to a state office buildings as were a number of factories that were converted to state storage facilities. The state's motto became "The last one to leave the state, please turn the lights off.
While I was in Lansing, Barry Goldwater was the Republican nominee for President, yet when his staff came to meet with party leaders they were not allowed in their offices. The real irony, and truth of Washington's warning, came some years later when Gerald Ford was running for the Presidency. At the national convention Goldwater was in the press box and was asked why he was supporting Ford. His response was "we have to support our party's incumbent." Ronald Reagan was Ford's challenger. Ford was not an incumbent, no one had ever cast a vote for his to be President, he completed Nixon's term after being ousted.
We have all witnessed similar events. It has become clear that we no longer have "Americans", we have Democrats and Republicans that place their party ABOVE the welfare of the country and this is precisely what prompted Washington to offer such profound advice. We have become lazy and incapable of measuring the character and ideals of candidates and are dictated to by political machines that serve them and not us.
Which party is supportive of the Constitution, pro life, pro abortion, specifically the first and second amendments, and you can expand the list. We are not able to hold individuals accountable because we must fight their organized party who support them regardless of their personal acts and beliefs.
It would be easy to say " let's amend the Constitution" which has become a meaningless and powerless document BECAUSE of organized parties. It is shameful that we can predict the outcome of a Supreme Court decision because votes are "politically" predictable. How can laws be politically understood. They can't! Another classic example of Washington's wisdom.
Tired of voting for the lesser of 2 evils? Could this be why so many people don't vote?
Thomas Jefferson said "That government governs best which governs least. We didn't listen to him either.
Ever read the Federalists Papers? Compared them to what we now have?
Has our freedom ended as Washington said??? You decide!!!
