December Progress Report

December 10, 2012

Leadership is our goal. Changing the Constitution is our method.

Every day, at one place or another, we read or hear the opinion of someone that our system of government is broken.  This has occurred because our system of government is bereft of the leadership envisioned by the Founding Fathers.  In Federalist, No. 44, James Madison said, “Why has government been constituted at all?  Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice...A spirit of faction, which is apt to mingle its poison in the deliberations of all bodies of men, will often hurry the persons of whom they are composed into improprieties and excesses for which they would blush in a private capacity.”

And, again, in Federalist, No. 57, Madison tells us “The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of society;  and, in the next place, to take the most effective precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold public trust.” 

The essence of good government is a good constitution and the essence of a good constitution is one that invites both wise and virtuous leaders seeking the common good.

Our Constitution no longer invites the wise and virtuous to be its leaders.  Rather, it has invited persons for its leaders who have allowed the weaknesses of human nature – the need for power, money and recognition – to overcome their obligation to do the right thing.

We have supplied a remedy – making changes to the Constitution which, if adopted, will undo the powers of mischief and the improprieties the Constitution now allows.  The result will be better leaders and a better country.

 

John M. Cogswell, President

A