Showing posts with label HISTORY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HISTORY. Show all posts
3/06/2011
The 3/5 Compromise
I was on my lunch break the other day at work working on my netbook computer of which I have a picture of three of the Founding Fathers: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Samuel Adams. This striked up a conversation between me and a couple of my co-workers. One of them said the Founding Fathers were all racists. After investigating further they thought they were racists because they owned slaves and only counted negros as three-fifths of a person in the Constitution.
This lit a fire underneath me because I knew that these individuals had no clue what was actually meant when the Founding Fathers put this into the Constitution. I felt the need to educate my co-workers. They thought that the 3/5 statement was in the Constitution because the Founding Fathers wanted to continue slavery when in actuality it was the exact opposite.
"The Three-Fifths compromise was a compromise between the Southern and Northern states reached during the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 in which three-fifths of the population of slaves would be counted for enumeration purposes regarding both the distribution of taxes and the appointment of the members of the United States House of Representatives. It was proposed by delegates James Wilson and Roger Sherman.
"Delegates opposed to slavery generally wished to count only free inhabitants of each state. Delegates supportive of slavery, on the other hand, generally wanted to count slaves in their actual numbers. Since slaves could not vote, slaveholders would thus have the benefit of increased representation in the House and the Electoral College [which would be more difficult to abolish slavery]. The final compromise of counting "all other persons" as only three-fifths of their actual number reduced the power of the slave states relative to the original southern proposals, but increased it over the northern position." - Wikipedia
The actual text in the Constitution found in Article 1, Section 2, Paragraph 3 says: "Representative and direct Taxes shall be appointed among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons."
Wikipedia continues: "Following the Civil War and the abolition of slavery by the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution (1865), the three-fifths clause was rendered moot."
Once I explained this to these individuals, I saw their mind enlightened and were surprised, and they didn't have anything further to say. It irks me to no end when someone just spits out something like that they have no understanding of...just something they heard or thought without doing their homework.
9/11/2009
8 Years Ago Today...
I seriously cannot believe that it has been eight full years since our nation was attacked by ruthless terrorists slamming our own airplanes into the World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon. Like me, you will never forget exactly where you were and what you were doing when it seems like our world was falling apart.
Earlier this year President Obama signed into law to make September 11th a "National Day of Service." I whole heatedly believe in serving others and doing what we can to help others, but I think it would better and make sense that today be a "National Day of Remembrance." It almost seems like the people in power want us to forget what happened eight years ago.
Let's go back in time to September 11, 2001. The entire nation was in shock! I remember thinking that it felt like I was watching a movie and in disbelief that someone would attack us. Almost 3,000 people died this day...not only the people working in the towers, but the people who were on the planes and the selfless heroes who risked their lives to save others. Shouldn't we be remembering that and have the day of service on September 12th?
On the 12th America came together. It didn't matter who you were. It didn't matter if you were male or female, straight or gay, black or white, or Democrat or Republican. We came together as a nation that I had never seen before in my then 24 years of life and haven't seen anything like it since. I was working at a book and crafts store at the time and we were sold out of American flags for months as well as every other store in the city, state, and nation! Patriotism was at it's highest and we were willing to do anything to help those in need. Volunteers, giving blood, etc. were at it's highest and continued for months if not years. Never forget.
As we look back on this day eight years ago let's remember those victims and heroes and not desecrate their memory. Tomorrow, do your part to serve someone else and continue to help this nation be the greatest it can be!
Earlier this year President Obama signed into law to make September 11th a "National Day of Service." I whole heatedly believe in serving others and doing what we can to help others, but I think it would better and make sense that today be a "National Day of Remembrance." It almost seems like the people in power want us to forget what happened eight years ago.
Let's go back in time to September 11, 2001. The entire nation was in shock! I remember thinking that it felt like I was watching a movie and in disbelief that someone would attack us. Almost 3,000 people died this day...not only the people working in the towers, but the people who were on the planes and the selfless heroes who risked their lives to save others. Shouldn't we be remembering that and have the day of service on September 12th?
On the 12th America came together. It didn't matter who you were. It didn't matter if you were male or female, straight or gay, black or white, or Democrat or Republican. We came together as a nation that I had never seen before in my then 24 years of life and haven't seen anything like it since. I was working at a book and crafts store at the time and we were sold out of American flags for months as well as every other store in the city, state, and nation! Patriotism was at it's highest and we were willing to do anything to help those in need. Volunteers, giving blood, etc. were at it's highest and continued for months if not years. Never forget.
As we look back on this day eight years ago let's remember those victims and heroes and not desecrate their memory. Tomorrow, do your part to serve someone else and continue to help this nation be the greatest it can be!
9/07/2009
A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That
--Czars
Van Jones, Green Jobs Czar/self-proclaimed communist/left-wing radical nut job, resigned late Saturday night/early Sunday morning amid controversy of past statements, actions, and beliefs. Despite Obama's critics regarding czars and their appointment without congressional oversight, Obama today announced the creation and appointment of yet another czar...Ron Bloom as a "Manufacturing Czar." ENOUGH OF THE CZARS ALREADY! Unbelievable.
--The Race Card
On my way to work his morning I was listening to a radio program where the host, I forget his name, was discussing President Obama's speech he's going to give to school kids. Indoctrination was being discussed...anyway, to make a long story short this caller basically said that all "you people" don't want Obama to give this speech because he's black. Really? I can't believe that people are still fixated on the color of skin of our president. Not just this guy, but there has been many, even in Washington and celebrities alike who say that anybody who disagrees with Obama's agenda is a racist and because he's black. I could care less. I do care about our President's policies and don't agree with 99% of the time. COLOR DOESN'T MATTER! GET OVER YOURSELF ALREADY! Unbelievable.
--Health Care
The debate isn't over! The current bill H.R. 3200 has gotta go or revised. On this same radio show I was listening to this morning a republican lawmaker was on talking about the 1,000+ page bill, which he actually read. Even though President Obama has said that we can keep our own doctor and private insurance if we want, but in the bill it says differently. In addition, Medigap is buh-bye, and much much more. Plus the individuals trying to push this through hasn't even read it! I'll try and get the audio/transcript...he pointed it out in much more detail.
Obama has always been a proponent of a single health care system that's run by the government. A public option is their doorway to getting it and IT WILL run private insurance out of business. ENOUGH OF THE PUBLIC OPTION ALREADY! IT WILL DRIVE THIS COUNTRY INTO THE GROUND! Unbelievable.
--Cap-and-Trade
This is another bill that's trying get passed in the middle of the night. It passed the house before the August break and will be going to the Senate soon. Basically this is an energy tax bill that will increase energy costs up to $3,000 per year or more per family! Obama said it himself that his cap-and-trade bill will mean that energy companies will need to retrofit their operation to come to standards, which will cost money and those companies will pass that cost on to consumers. Watch the video here. SO MUCH FOR PROMISING NO TAX INCREASES, EH PRESIDENT OBAMA? Unbelievable.
--5,000 Year Leap
Continuing with the history of our nation and what the Founding Fathers believed, the book I'm reading, The 5,000 Year Leap is very interesting. I'm currently reading about how if our nation was to succeed and prosper with the Constitution and Declaration of Independence the people needed to be moral and virtuous, and they needed to elect virtuous officials. These officials needed to be elected not for self-serving reasons or greed, but to be a servant of the people. Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."
From the book I quote: "Samuel Adams knew the price of American survival under a Constitutional form of government when he wrote: 'The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then shall we both deserve and enjoy it. While, on the other hand, if we are universally vicious and debauched in our manners, though the form of our Constitution carries the face of the most exalted freedom, we shall in reality be the most abject slaves. (Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, 1:22-23).'"
Van Jones, Green Jobs Czar/self-proclaimed communist/left-wing radical nut job, resigned late Saturday night/early Sunday morning amid controversy of past statements, actions, and beliefs. Despite Obama's critics regarding czars and their appointment without congressional oversight, Obama today announced the creation and appointment of yet another czar...Ron Bloom as a "Manufacturing Czar." ENOUGH OF THE CZARS ALREADY! Unbelievable.
--The Race Card
On my way to work his morning I was listening to a radio program where the host, I forget his name, was discussing President Obama's speech he's going to give to school kids. Indoctrination was being discussed...anyway, to make a long story short this caller basically said that all "you people" don't want Obama to give this speech because he's black. Really? I can't believe that people are still fixated on the color of skin of our president. Not just this guy, but there has been many, even in Washington and celebrities alike who say that anybody who disagrees with Obama's agenda is a racist and because he's black. I could care less. I do care about our President's policies and don't agree with 99% of the time. COLOR DOESN'T MATTER! GET OVER YOURSELF ALREADY! Unbelievable.
--Health Care
The debate isn't over! The current bill H.R. 3200 has gotta go or revised. On this same radio show I was listening to this morning a republican lawmaker was on talking about the 1,000+ page bill, which he actually read. Even though President Obama has said that we can keep our own doctor and private insurance if we want, but in the bill it says differently. In addition, Medigap is buh-bye, and much much more. Plus the individuals trying to push this through hasn't even read it! I'll try and get the audio/transcript...he pointed it out in much more detail.
Obama has always been a proponent of a single health care system that's run by the government. A public option is their doorway to getting it and IT WILL run private insurance out of business. ENOUGH OF THE PUBLIC OPTION ALREADY! IT WILL DRIVE THIS COUNTRY INTO THE GROUND! Unbelievable.
--Cap-and-Trade
This is another bill that's trying get passed in the middle of the night. It passed the house before the August break and will be going to the Senate soon. Basically this is an energy tax bill that will increase energy costs up to $3,000 per year or more per family! Obama said it himself that his cap-and-trade bill will mean that energy companies will need to retrofit their operation to come to standards, which will cost money and those companies will pass that cost on to consumers. Watch the video here. SO MUCH FOR PROMISING NO TAX INCREASES, EH PRESIDENT OBAMA? Unbelievable.
--5,000 Year Leap
Continuing with the history of our nation and what the Founding Fathers believed, the book I'm reading, The 5,000 Year Leap is very interesting. I'm currently reading about how if our nation was to succeed and prosper with the Constitution and Declaration of Independence the people needed to be moral and virtuous, and they needed to elect virtuous officials. These officials needed to be elected not for self-serving reasons or greed, but to be a servant of the people. Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."
From the book I quote: "Samuel Adams knew the price of American survival under a Constitutional form of government when he wrote: 'The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then shall we both deserve and enjoy it. While, on the other hand, if we are universally vicious and debauched in our manners, though the form of our Constitution carries the face of the most exalted freedom, we shall in reality be the most abject slaves. (Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, 1:22-23).'"
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