Political coat of many colors

By Earl Lofland
On the day that the Revolutionary War began It is only fair to express some ideals about how our country was designed.

The founding generation


At first, there were no parties in the nation; however soon factions formed around dominant personalities such as Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who opposed Hamilton's broad vision of a powerful federal government. Where, Jefferson objected to Hamilton's flexible view of the Constitution; Hamilton stretched to include a national bank. When the government is only as good as those who are in control of it.

In the beginning of this country, George Washington feared the country would be divided along party lines because people would trend to vote or act in concert with whichever party they belonged to at the time. instead of seeking the good of the country. George Washington eventualy being villified by members of the Republican party as if he were King George.
Parties could also become tyrannical if one became too strong for any other to resist. John Adams felt he would rather go to his grave than become a member of a political party. Although he was looked to to be the head of the Federalist party , even though he believed in the cause they advocated.
Jefferson was a Democrat-Republican, meaning he was against a strong federal government and devoted to the cause that he actually undermined John Adams' presidency behind the scenes even as he was Adams' vice-president.

The Body of politic that the founding generation designed was constructed in such a delicate fashion that it balanced the powers of the government so as each branch of the federal government did not have too much power over the other. While at the same time the States of the union were recognized having rights - allowing them to have powers that were numerous and indefinate. So as they were able to provide a system of governmen within their state that would create order and give the citizens of that State individual liberties in their lives.


In order for this body of politic to properly function the founders also recognized, as Thomsas Jefferson stated: "I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men … where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to Heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all."

James Madison and many others also expressed this view (Federalist 10)

Often times people ask what should be done in this failing economy and the political struggles that are happening today, As many attempt to give an alternate view with very powerful evidence, yet time and time again those seeking answers continue to hold on to their coat of color like it will keep them a afloat in choppy seas, or give them power over death itself.

"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State". James Madison Federalist No. 10


Alexander Hamilton explained citing Spirit of Lawa,'' vol. i., book ix., chap. i. the threat of giving too much power and how to quell that usurpation through having a body of many members to ensure that one or two may not be able to control the entire union.

"If a single member should attempt to usurp the supreme authority, he could not be supposed to have an equal authority and credit in all the confederate states. Were he to have too great influence over one, this would alarm the rest. Were he to subdue a part, that which would still remain free might oppose him with forces independent of those which he had usurped and overpower him before he could be settled in his usurpation.

"Should a popular insurrection happen in one of the confederate states the others are able to quell it. Should abuses creep into one part, they are reformed by those that remain sound. The state may be destroyed on one side, and not on the other; the confederacy may be dissolved, and the confederates preserve their sovereignty.

"As this government is composed of small republics, it enjoys the internal happiness of each; and with respect to its external situation, it is possessed, by means of the association, of all the advantages of large monarchies.''

Alexander Hamilton Federalist No 9.


Judging on how government is run today between the two parties, the ones who opposed political parties were correct in their fears. We have witnessed where the Major Parties will battle it out amongst themselves to gain control of the body of poitics in the governments (Municiple, County, State and Central body's)while all at the same time, the also will fight together to retain their power from being stricken by any other voices who studies are showing are vastly a majority of voters. Most who are voting along the lines of the majority than voting for the good of the country, even when it is a voice that may not be a member politic that is seated in power.