I agree with you. The founders in the 1770's were all very smart, and had a deep knowledge of civilizations up to the point of founding of the United States. They understood the tendency of power to corrupt also.

What I think they may have underestimated though is the willingness of a countries citizens to sit on their asses while there freedoms, and security is stolen our from under them. Having paid such a high price to for the rare house of freedom which we inherited from them, I suspect that they had some hoped that at the first appearance of flames in that house that we would rise from our complacent seats to extinguish the fire before that flame became a raging inferno. There they seriously over estimated our weakness.

When it come down to serious study on the philosophy and practical matters of nature self-governance what was written by the old masters like John Locke, and Thomas Payne is still the foundation of all great thinking is this area. Modern times have not bred superior thinkers. Nothing new about human nature has been discovered.

I agree with you. The founders in the 1770's were all very smart, and had a deep knowledge of civilizations up to the point of founding of the United States. They understood the tendency of power to corrupt also.

What I think they may have underestimated though is the willingness of a countries citizens to sit on their asses while there freedoms, and security is stolen our from under them. Having paid such a high price to for the rare house of freedom which we inherited from them, I suspect that they had some hoped that at the first appearance of flames in that house that we would rise from our complacent seats to extinguish the fire before that flame became a raging inferno. There they seriously over estimated our weakness.

When it come down to serious study on the philosophy and practical matters of nature self-governance what was written by the old masters like John Locke is still the foundation of all great thinking is this area. Modern times have not bred superior thinkers. Nothing new about human nature has been discovered.