Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site uwmacc.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!genrad!panda!talcott!harvard!seismo!uwvax!uwmacc!rick From: rick@uwmacc.UUCP (the absurdist) Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: Congressmen and clowns Message-ID: <1457@uwmacc.UUCP> Date: Tue, 10-Sep-85 11:40:01 EDT Article-I.D.: uwmacc.1457 Posted: Tue Sep 10 11:40:01 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 12-Sep-85 22:31:35 EDT References: <199@decwrl.UUCP> <36200238@uiucdcs> <1300@cae780.UUCP> Reply-To: rick@uwmacc.UUCP (Rick Keir) Organization: UWisconsin-Madison Academic Comp Center Lines: 52 In article <1300@cae780.UUCP> gordon@cae780.UUCP (Brian Gordon) writes: >It's always seemed clear to me that the intention of the "founding fathers" >was just about that -- the "good men" would be willing to take off two or >six years, serve their country, and then go back to private life. This was when it was a matter of travelling for weeks to get to the capital, and the Representative or Senator had a farm to look after. It seems ridiculous in an age when a single jet fighter pilot or border guard can start a crisis that affects half the world (KAL 007, the shooting of an American inspector in East Germany, the Libyan jet fighter incident and the attack on the work party in the Korean DMZ, just for starters). Government is not for amateurs. >... Similarly, >the Electoral College ain't a bad idea, if done as intended: each area >elects its best minds, and they all get together to pick the president and >vice president. "Best minds"? The idea is that us ELITE type folks get together and pick the boss, without allowing the rabble any voice. Remember, the people who came up with the electoral college also considered having George Washington be KING for life. The American revolution wasn't against monarchy in general, just the one that was in charge at the time. > >It would be sort of neat to give the Constitution a try after all these >years ... It would be terrifying. Why are you willing to presume that slave-owners who died two centuries ago are better able to decide what form our government should take than we are? The "good men" ... the "founding fathers" ... the "best minds" ... the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus. No matter what they drummed into you in High School Civics class, you should be able to look at the news and think about where these fine leaders are coming from...and why they aren't in office now. (They are? Then why do you want to limit them to a six year term?) Down with populist rhetoric! Keep government in the hands of the professionals. When you buy them, they're honest enough to stay bought. -- "For it's cheer up my lads, let your heart never fear when you stay home from the free lanes, for to be a profiteer" - to the tune of Bonnie Ship the Diamond Rick Keir -- MicroComputer Information Center, MACC 1210 West Dayton St/U Wisconsin Madison/Mad WI 53706 {allegra, ihnp4, seismo}!uwvax!uwmacc!rick