Exclusive to gopbriefingroom.com.
By EC.
On May 22, 1782, one of Washington’s officers, Colonel Lewis Nicola
wrote to him that the ineffectiveness of the Congress during the war had demonstrated the inadequacy of republican government. Nicola proposed that Washington become King of the United States.
Washington, just off a campaign to kick a remote king out of the fledgling Republic, was less than impressed by this suggestion and responded harshly. He well understood the problems of overarching power. All the founders did and took great pains to prevent that being possible. Taking influences from many sources, they designed an elegant system of checks and balances intended to give the voters control of the country and a significant voice in how it was governed.
They did forget one thing in their deliberations. Human nature.
While it is a popular misconception that in the feudal period the peasants were kept in line with whips, torture and the odd execution, that is no where near the truth. The local lord usually acted more as a pater familias to his tenants. Not necessarily for altruistic reasons, but for pragmatic ones. Cut off a mans arm and he is a less effective worker. Whip and humiliate him and he will find a way to mess up the harvest. Even the Emperor Claudius recommended treating all slaves with respect as to their dignity as persons, way back in 24 AD. Hold that thought.
Many people prefer to be told what to do. It's easier. Less responsibility, less worry and much less fear. Armies are still built on that principal. Not because it is ethical, but because it actually works in the real world. Most large businesses follow that pattern also. People are happiest when they know what they are doing and can see the results. Yet at the same time, most people are risk averse. Which means there is a tendency to pass the buck, as far as actual decision making goes.
You have seen it. Get together with a bunch of your friends to meet over drinks, they are funny, witty, good company, loving and caring. One is a bit of a dick when they have had a few, but there is always one. Suggest continuing the pleasant evening by going for a meal. You will be banging your head repeatedly against the wall for the next half hour while no one can decide where to go to eat. Yet if you say "There is a really good restaurant the next street over, shall we go there and eat?" the entire group will have their drinks finished and their coats on before you finish the sentence.
People like to have leaders. It's no failure as a person or a fault in their character, it just is. Which leads us to a certain problem, as far as the USA is concerned. The most aggressively egalitarian country ever, where merit is success and success is merit, loves it's royal families. The people who tell them when to squat and tell them when to lean. On our side, people can list the Kennedy's and the Clinton's. The left can point to the Bush's and the Romney's (seriously, if you don't thing at least two of the sons are going to get into politics, you need glasses). There are undoubtedly many more. Families who's entire life is spent running (or ruining) the country.
Congratulations. You are reinventing serfdom, without even noticing it.