Posted on Oct 27, 2017
‘Natural Aristocracy’ and the U.S. Constitution
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I disagree with the author on this one. He uses the fact that we have a democratic Republic (vice a direct democracy) to claim, "...and in the Constitution they demand that America be ruled by aristocrats." This is very far from the reality of the makeup of early Congress...there were Aristocrats to be sure, and many of the founders were Aristocrats. But many were farmers, teachers, and businessmen who viewed their membership in Congress as a temporary but honorable duty; a sacrifice as it often meant a reduction in income and separation from their families.
‘Natural Aristocracy’ and the U.S. Constitution
Posted from nationalreview.com
Congress
Constitution
Democracy
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 4
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Much of the structure of the US Government under the Constitution comes from the experience of the Authors with British government institutions. If you look at the structure of the British government in the 1700s, you will find a monarch (King) who is a mixture of head of state, commander-in-chief, and chief executive. The legislative authority is divided among the monarch, who can still declare laws by virtue of his position, the House of Lords, mostly landed aristocracy, and the House of Commons, to which almost anybody can be elected. The Commons was often at odds with the King over money. The King held some tax revenue in perpetuity, but funding for royal adventures, such as a war, required the Commons to approve tax on the people. BTW the King paid for the standing Army and Navy from his accounts. The strong Prime Minister as head of Government emerged after the Revolutions of the late 1700s. The superior courts were the King's courts, but lower courts in the towns and counties still resolved criminal and civil cases under British Common Law.
Many of these principles of government, such as a bicameral legislature, made it into the US Constitution. I'm not in love with the author's use of "aristocrats" in his article, but he does stress the point that the Founders expected the people to elect representatives who would serve with honesty and wisdom. Although they were all white European men, they did not place a race or religion test on being elected to or holding public office. Elected officials were expected to occupy temporary positions of service and honor in the legislative and executive branches. Their rightfully placed fear was development of a ruling class, which has happened. Too bad they didn't put term limits in the original Constitution.
Many of these principles of government, such as a bicameral legislature, made it into the US Constitution. I'm not in love with the author's use of "aristocrats" in his article, but he does stress the point that the Founders expected the people to elect representatives who would serve with honesty and wisdom. Although they were all white European men, they did not place a race or religion test on being elected to or holding public office. Elected officials were expected to occupy temporary positions of service and honor in the legislative and executive branches. Their rightfully placed fear was development of a ruling class, which has happened. Too bad they didn't put term limits in the original Constitution.
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Col Joseph Lenertz
Yes. And I take Aristocracy to mean essentially a ruling class. So the original notion that it was a temporary duty, yet the failure to write it down (as term limits) is a gap in our constitution I suppose.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
SFC William H. - Agree the Constitution could be amended to contain term limits for Congress and maybe judges; however, I think it will take an Article V constitutional convention called by the states. The Congress will never vote to limit their own terms.
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being a member of either the house or senate was never meant to be a full time job. People have become lazy and apathetic towards government affairs. The Article 5 convention should also repeal the 17th amendment as well as set term limits of house and senate representatives
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Cpl Tou Lee Yang
SGT Jim Arnold - you should practice what you preach. You're too funny and confused. I mean you even think Trump is doing a great job.
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SGT Jim Arnold
Cpl Tou Lee Yang - sure go right on making sure everyone knows without a doubt you are clueless
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Capt Daniel Goodman
I'd love to say it would, and I entirely agree with you, however, trust me, ain't never gonna happen, I'm afraid.....
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Capt Daniel Goodman
I did...not all of it, though I really did try to plow through a good deal of his stuff, truly....
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