Cowboy Talk

May 12, 2014

The Constitutional Convention which started in May 1787, ended in September 1787.  To explain the Constitution to the people, James Madison, then 36 years old, Alexander Hamilton, age 32, and John Jay, in the following six months, wrote 85 essays known today as The Federalist Papers.  Jay wrote five of the papers with the balance of the papers mostly written by James Madison.  Thomas Jefferson called these papers “the best commentary on the principles of government which ever was written”.

James Madison’s Federalist Paper No. 57, stated:

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 the society;  and, in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous while they continue to hold their public trust.

We Americans have neglected the performance of these duties which explains why we are in trouble today.  As a result, our leaders, succumbing to the weaknesses of human nature, have established a system of government allowing them to accumulate power, money, recognition and prestige to the detriment of the best interests of our country.  It is clear that the solution to our country’s problems is better leadership.  Arguments over public policy have no lasting benefit.

To increase our chances for better leadership, I have proposed 44 amendments to the Constitution designed to remove the temptations which, in today’s world, allow our leaders to disregard the interests of our country in favor of their own ambition.  Please vote on these proposals, encourage your friends to do likewise and inform them of the mock constitutional convention which we are proposing as a safeguard to the risks associated with a formal constitutional convention which I believe is necessary.

John M. Cogswell, President

Written April 15, 2014

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