The Founding Fathers and Modern Interpretations: Debunking the 'Tired Line'

Every now and then, we hear the phrase, 'the founding fathers wouldn't have wanted this' tossed around as if it were a magical incantation. The question, however, is how do we really know what our ancestors would have wanted?

Knowing the Founding Fathers' Intentions

Let's be clear: it goes beyond the obligation to quote politicians for votes and parrot back tired lines. The Founding Fathers had very specific goals - namely, to gain the colonies' independence from England and to protect the citizens from a tyrannical government in the future. These were their primary objectives, and their constitution reflected those goals.

Progressive Views and Tensions of the Time

It is indeed common for scholars and academics to critique the founding fathers for their lack of progress on issues like relations with Native Americans and slavery. However, it's important to contextualize these critiques within the era. Slavery was not uncommon in many parts of the world at that time, and its abolition in England didn't occur until 1807. The Enlightenment, which brought about more progressive thinking, was still taking hold a few generations later. The founding fathers, while clearly flawed, were working within the constraints of the time.

Occupation and Conflict with Native Americans

The issue of relations with Native Americans can be viewed in the broader context of colonizers facing indigenous populations. The occupation and conflict were not unique to America but common across many European countries and among new American citizens as well. Historically, the treatment of native peoples around the world was often brutal and exploitative.

The Constitution as a Catalyst for Freedom

The Constitution they created was and remains the bedrock of American freedom. While fault finding and progressivism may serve certain agendas, the Constitution is explicit in defining the rights of citizens. It provided a framework that could be adapted to fit the changing needs of society while preserving core principles.

The Evolution of Law Through Amendments

To further illustrate this point, let's look at the dynamic amendments that have been added to the Constitution in the last 100 years. These amendments, which have been ratified by states, represent the evolution of the law in response to societal changes:

16th Amendment (1917): Federal Income Tax. Ratified by Woodrow Wilson and the Democratic Party.

17th Amendment (1918): Senators elected by popular vote. Increased individual state power over Congress. Pushed by Henry Stimson of the Federalist Conservative party and 10 Republicans, then ratified by both political parties and states on the national level.

18th Amendment (1919): Prohibition. Passed by a Democratic majority, with 36 Democrats voting in favor and 12 against, and 29 Republicans in favor and 8 against.

19th Amendment (1920): Women's right to vote. 20 Democrats for, 17 against, 9 not voting/abstaining, with 36 Republicans for and 8 against in the House, and 5 not voting/abstaining.

20th Amendment (1933): Fast transition of power for war. Ratified by states.

21st Amendment (1933): Repeal of prohibition. Ratified by states.

22nd Amendment (1951): Presidential term limits. Ratified by states.

23rd Amendment (1961): DC gets 2 Electoral College votes. Population approx 5,000. Presented by the Democrat party, ratified by a Democrat-controlled Congress and 3/4 states.

24th Amendment (1964): Abolition of poll taxes. Vote in the House was 295–86, 132–15 in the House Republican Conference, and 163–71 in the House Democratic Caucus, with 54 members voting present or abstaining.

25th Amendment (1964): VP succession and similar appointments. Ratified by states, a response to the Kennedy assassination.

26th Amendment (1971): Age 18 to vote. Ratified by Congress with an overwhelming majority.

27th Amendment (1992): Governance over congressional pay raises. The Twenty-Seventh Amendment.

Conclusion

While the founding fathers were not perfect, their constitution has acted as a catalyst for the freedoms of all men. Their original intentions remain at the heart of American governance, and the amendments have served to adapt the law to the needs of a changing society while preserving these core principles.