We often complain about the political “elitists” who represent us in Washington and how they don’t seem to understand what we need and want. This was forcefully driven home by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid (with more than a little help from the President) in the Health Care bill. What was it Pelosi said? “We have to pass it so we can find out what’s in it.” Well, we should have seen it coming.
In the winter of 1787-1788 writing for the Independent Journal and for what is known as Federalist No. 17 Alexander Hamilton wrote, “The operations of the national government, on the other hand, falling less immediately under the observation of the mass of the citizens, the benefits derived from it will chiefly be perceived and attended to by speculative men. Relating to more general interests, they will be less apt to come home to the feelings of the people; and, in proportion, less likely to inspire an habitual sense of obligation, and an active sentiment of attachment.”
The federal government hadn’t yet been formed and the Constitution was in the process of being ratified, but the Founding Fathers understood that which we can’t come to grips with today – those of the ruling class have little incentive to worry about those of us in the non-ruling general public.
Wake Up America! 2010 was a good start; keep the momentum going!
Yup. As I said it myself sometime ago:
“Speaker Pelosi insulted our intelligence by telling us we had to pass the bill to find out what is in it.
This is not how Congress is supposed to do business.”
Comment by Daniel — January 10, 2011 @ 8:35 PM