Posted by
Jim Hunt on Monday, January 05, 2009 8:00:00 AM
"But of all the views of this law none is more important, none more legitimate, than that of rendering the people the safe, as they are the ultimate, guardians of their own liberty. For this purpose the reading in the first stage, where they will receive their whole education, is proposed, as has been said, to be chiefly historical. History by apprising them of the past will enable them to judge of the future; it will avail them of the experience of other times and other nations; it will qualify them as judges of the actions and designs of men; it will enable them to know ambition under every disguise it may assume; and knowing it, to defeat its views."
--Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 14, 1781
As we enter this New Year and new era (error?) of politics, I feel it is appropriate to consider what got us to this position. Once again it appears that the American voters have failed to learn from history and have set us on a course that has been tried before without success. While it is certainly premature to judge an administration that has yet to even take office, it is clearly a valid time to consider the causes of the results of the late election in light of history, both recent and longer term.
One thing in particularly is glaring in the exit polls. A significant plurality of voters had no idea what Barack Obama stands for. In fact there were many Obama voters who answered the questions in the affirmative that where directly in contradiction of Obama’s views. Questions on issues such as Right to Life, the Iraq War and the selection of Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential candidate were all answered incorrectly by voters. Many voters agreed that Obama’s commitment to Right to Life, his commitment to stay in Iraq until Victory is achieved and his selection of Sarah Palin as VP were all important to their decision to vote for Barack Obama.
What does this tell us? That American voters are idiots? No, it tells us that American voters are un-educated and ill-informed. It makes clear that the media failed to present the issues accurately and, more importantly, that our education system has failed to inculcate an awareness of the importance of civics and understanding the world around us.
Right, wrong, or indifferent, the American voters wanted change. There is no doubt they will get it. It remains to be seen whether or not they will like it.
God Bless America