Did President George Washington warn of the dangers of political parties to our democracy?

2017-12-07T15:45:45-05:00

“The common and continual mischief's [sic] of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passion.”
― George Washington, Washington's farewell address: delivered to Congress on September 19, 1796

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Dec 7 at 2017 3:54 PM

2017-12-07T15:54:15-05:00

I would say the Founding Fathers attempted to shield us from a lot. Unfortunately, time tends cause people to forget.

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Dec 7 at 2017 3:54 PM

2017-12-07T15:54:59-05:00

Just as we should have civilian service in politics, not careerists.

Response by SPC David S. made Dec 7 at 2017 3:56 PM

2017-12-07T15:56:12-05:00

The psuedo-war between Dems and Repubs, liberals and conservatives not only divides but serves as a distraction while the politicos collude to serve their own self interests.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2017 7:56 AM

2017-12-08T07:56:07-05:00

Yes he did, in his day it was the Federalist against the State's rights groups, like Jefferson's people against Hamilton's people, and it just keeps on going, the parties have changed over the years but the results are the same. I personally wish we had more than two really strong parties. Most countries have several if not dozens of different parties and they are forced to find common ground, but with two really strong parties they just wait each other out.