I was just reading George Washington's farewell address.

[Career Prole]

There's a lesson from a greater George to a much lesser George in it...

In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential, than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular Nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody contests. The Nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the Government, contrary to the best calculations of policy. The Government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times, it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives. The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of Nations has been the victim.
http://earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/farewell/text.html

The greater George had it goin' on, as they say. :)

[captainjack]

1. i wish politicians today had the insight and eloquence

that jefferson, washington, et al. had two and a quarter centuries ago. i wonder why politicians today(kerry is learning more towards this level of insight) are so crass and graceless. there's no way that people today could look into themselves, find their faults, and create a document like the constitution that admits imperfection and prevents us from acting on impulses. these guys were real geniuses. wish we had more of them these days :(

[WLKjr]

2. There are more than you think

;)

[despairing optimist]

5. And I wish people had the wisdom to separate "nation" from "government"

as our Founding Fathers intended them to be. That's the heart of the problem today. We'll see if the majority of voters see the difference next week.

[Selatius]

3. George Washington was also suspicious of political parties

He was against it because he wanted people representing their constituencies voting for what was best for them, not necessarily what was best for either party. He feared party loyalty would interfere with loyalty to one's people, and I think he would cry if he saw the daily party hackery on shows such as Crossfire.

I assume he would have been suspicious of the power of corporations and special interests as well, but that's speculation because such things didn't exist in the form they do today.

[Career Prole]

4. Precisely the aspect that had me looking for the speech.

He warned against national debt too...a very smart feller.

[wellstone_democrat]

6. Beware of zeal and secret combinations of men...

a message too many have forgotten.

[Career Prole]

7. I sense a history buff

in the house! ;)
You have found the essential warning...which was ignored by too many people, no?

[wellstone_democrat]

8. Hmmm, you *could* call me a buff....

but, doesn't *everyone* know the Farewell Address by heart? Seriously, all Texas schoolchildren learn it by heart!

Its 'cause we're better 'Muricans I guess....:evilgrin:

[tabasco]

9. The Founding Fathers really were an exceptional group of men.

And GW was the great leader we needed to start this Nation.

They gave us a good framework to build upon. The last four years the framework has been slowly dismantled by those who would prey on our fears and have us give up our civil liberties.