On Sun, 02 Dec 2007 09:10:40 -0500, ZerkonX wrote: > On Sat, 01 Dec 2007 12:28:57 -0500, mimus wrote: > >> Well, the framers were well aware of the dangers of plutocracy, theocracy >> and what they called "factions" (political parties), but they really >> didn't take very many specific measures against the Big Three in the >> original document. >> >> Basically, there's the proscription of religious tests to hold office, and >> that's about it. > > Yes, think this was done for the most part intentionally. This also was a > huge cause of alarm at the time and what motivated the passage of the Bill > Of Rights. > > It is unfortunate that this contention isn't stamped more deeply into > popular American history. Politicians and TV politico's love to wax on > about the 'freedoms' and 'rights' contained in the Constitution. Fact is > those freedoms and rights are only there, as amendments(!), because the > main body of the Constitution was so open to, as you say, 'the big three'. > States and individuals saw this Constitution as such a threat they > demanded the additions be put in place. I forgot one danger they were much more concerned about than we are today, and that was the establishment of a formal monarchy and/or aristocracy, titles granted by the Federal government at least being explicitly proscribed, and a "Republican Form of Government" being guaranteed to the States. I like this site, not least because it's got some Leveller documents: http://www.constitution.org/index.shtml -- tinmimus99@hotmail.com smeeter 11 or maybe 12 mp 10 mhm 29x13 Ben Franklin brought the papers, and George Washington the hemp, which smoked us all like busted scrot. < _Everything You Know is Wrong_
