Preserving Democracy
What The Founding Fathers Knew,
What We Have Forgotten, & How It Threatens Democracy
by
Elgin L. Hushbeck, Jr.
Energion Publications
0Hhttp://www.energionpubs.com
Copyright © 2009
Elgin L. Hushbeck Jr.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the Publisher, except for brief quotations in books and critical reviews.
Aer.io Edition
ISBN13: 978-1-63199-627-6
Print ISBN (Paperback):
ISBN: 1-893729-82-6
ISBN13: 978-1-893792-82-7
Library of Congress Control Number: 2010929366
Dust Jacket by Jason Neufeld, jasonneufelddesign.com
Dust Jacket image: Stock Photo Pro (stockphotopro.com) Copyright © Joe Sohm, used by permission
Energion Publications
P. O. Box 841
Gonzalez, FL 32560
1Hhttp://www.energionpubs.com
To
Trudy Ann Newman
my sister
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book was the product of many years in both formulation and writing and many people played a role in shaping how this book turned out. First, I would like to thank all of those with whom I have engaged in discussion over the years for the exchange of ideas that resulted in this book. I would particularly like to thank those who disagreed with me for four reasons. First, the at times vigorous back and forth helped me to try out my arguments and ideas, exposed weaknesses and flaws, and with their challenges helped me to come to a better understanding of these issues. Second, their challenges encouraged me to learn more and to explore new areas of investigation. Third, for helping me to learn how to challenge ideas, without attacking people. And finally, for being willing to discuss these issues. In particular I would like to thank Alfi, Bets, Elaine, jlescallette, Dor, JC, Jo Dakotah, Koka, Pheebs, Leith Anne, Mara, Roberta, Tom, Whit, and Woodsey, along with many others. I would also like to thank my good friends Larry and Diane Nixon, for their insights and perspectives. Without them this book would have been at a minimum vastly different, and probably would never have been written. I would also like to thank my students, particularly those in my classes on critical thinking, as they were a constant source of new ideas, and different ways of looking at things.
Key to all of this has been my editor, Henry Neufeld, who not only had the faith to take on the work, but also worked diligently in the editing process with corrections and suggestions to make the book better.
And of course none of this would have been possible without the loving support and encouragement of my wife, Hanna. Thank you for putting up with me.
Lastly, I want to thank my mother and father, who taught me a love for this country and an interest and concern for how government works.
Forewords
From the Publisher
It is perhaps unusual for a publisher to write part of a foreword. But as a small businessman and owner of a small publishing company, I am more involved in individual book projects than you might expect. I look for manuscripts that will communicate across political, religious, social, or intellectual lines. I could make money publishing books to be read by the already convinced, reaffirming their existing beliefs. But I see my business as a service as well, so I want to challenge people’s thinking, not just reaffirm their beliefs.
In addition, I hope to reach more than an intellectual elite. Our problems in this country can eventually be traced to “we the people” and the behavior we tolerate in media, in government, and in academia. There are things that can be done, but effective action requires clear understanding.
So whether you call yourself a Democrat, Republican, independent, or member of another party, whether you are liberal, moderate, or conservative, I invite you to use this book to clarify and test your understanding, I don’t mind if you leave your reading in serious disagreement with the author; I only hope that you will leave with a better understanding of what you believe and a greater determination to do your part in renewing our political system.
You will notice that our endorsements come from a variety of people—a military veteran, someone in the professions, some in academia. In presenting this second, paperback edition, we present three forewords. These are from people like you, who live and work, and who care about their country. They are remaining anonymous, because they are not famous and they represent many others.
As publisher, of course, I cannot remain anonymous.
— Henry Neufeld, Florida
From a Liberal
America! What a country!
(With apologies to Yakov Smirnoff).
Countless movies and books contain the theme of the family whose children seem to spend most of their time fighting with each other over just about anything. Occasionally, they band together to accomplish some great project, but basically, their lives seem to be one chaotic brawl after another. Unless, of course, someone else threatens one of the group. Then they all band together, shoulder to shoulder, and fight off the threat. Ten minutes later, everyone is back to infighting.
That in a nutshell is my view of America. It is a country populated by “Americans,” a rough and tumble, often brawling, sometimes cooperating, family of hundreds of millions of individuals.
What is the unspoken force that naturally draws Americans together, whether left or right, religious or secular, natural-born or recent immigrant? It seems to be this strange mix of traditions, attitudes, hopes, and commonly-held views that America is a concept worth fighting for. Each of these attributes is a natural offshoot of a country centered on that wonderful instrument entitled the US Constitution. A historical document that we all agree to adhere to, even today.
Only two things can really define the end of America. The first is the refusal of Americans to stand, shoulder-to-shoulder, against all comers. The second would be the removal or diminishment of the Constitution as the underpinning of our daily lives. Under either situation, Americans would simply be a loose gaggle of geographically grouped people without any purpose.
Before this begins to sound like yet another description of the Founding Fathers as demi-gods who knew everything about everything, I should mention that this is being written by a self-professed, flaming liberal. That’s right. I grew up with a picture of Roosevelt on the mantelpiece and was ecstatic at the outcome of the 2008 elections.
This book is not about politics. It is about America, and serves as a reminder of the responsibility each of us has to cast our votes thoughtfully. If we acknowledge this responsibility and act upon it, we can pass our inheritance, America, to the generations that follow. If we refuse to participate in this democracy, or vote exclusively on emotions rather than thoughtful analysis, we threaten the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness for our own descendants. Who are we to squander the gifts handed down to us so that later generations cannot share in the wondrous experience of being an American?
I would urge any American, of any political persuasion or demographic group, to read Elgin’s thoughtful journey to the foundations of the American psyche, and ponder the issues he presents to us. He only asks us to think through