What is the basis of "Our Free Republic"?

[DBazley]

I was so inspired by the thread "Are we a Republic?" and the resulting discussion, that I thought it logical to ask the next question:



What is the most proper basis for a free republic, as proposed by the founders ?



Of course, I've got a few thoughts... ... ... but first I'd rather hear what you fine folks think about this idea.



David B.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

To best understand the *BASIS* for the way our country was founded, you also need to study what early settlers were coming here to AVOID in their home countries...



Those included an oppressive government that intruded far too heavily into personal freedoms, and a tax system the was increasingly burdensome upon society. And of course, a state religion that was operating hand in glove with government to extend intrusion into the very basic of human values...



With all those basic factors in mind, our forefathers sought to establish a form of government that SERVED its society, rather than the other way around, and one that had only the MINIMAL power and effect upon its citizens. That limitation was intended to severely limit the control of government over basic human rights that were deemed "inalienable", or those rights that are the very foundation of basic human existence, rather than decreed or bestowed by other humans as some sort of "gift"...



As far as *I* am concerned, those founders of our country were geniuses - and it's the APATHY and lack of involvement and personal integrity and morality that have destroyed that early vision of what government SHOULD be - and brought us to where we are today...

 

[FATCAT]

OK, I'll bite ...

I guess that a lot of our founding fathers were greatly influenced by the writings of John Locke . His Two Treatises of Government delt with natural law and rights. Check them out as well as the Federalist Papers.



Also I always like to promote this organization, NHCCS , to anyone wanting to read up on the origins of our gov't and why it was writen the way it was. Even though you may not be from New Hampshire, it is a very educational organization concerning the country as a whole.