As I threaten to become more and more of an historical artifact myself I have become much more of a student of the past. Two periods of particular interest for me have been the American Revolution and the Civil War. I just read an interesting passage in the book, “Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence.” Many times previously in this book, and others I have read on the same topic, references were made to the difficulties of the fledgling American Army to secure enough troops, then equip and feed them. Not enough people volunteered for the standing full time Army. The militias, while helpful and often heroic, were inconsistent at best, and "often irresolute in battle". Congress dithered and the economy was on the verge of collapse. The French, who were helping us in order to help themselves against the shared enemy of England, were considering pulling out and reducing aid to the colonies. Anyway, the comment of note was one made by George Washington late in 1780, lamenting that after over four years of war Americans were, “…a commercial and free people, little accustomed to heavy burdens.”
This comment was provoked by years of desperate warfare with few victories. While the army struggled for basics like food, weapons, shoes and willing fighters (i.e. volunteers) who went months without pay, many people in the country resented the Army and the entire effort, and not just those who remained loyal to the crown. In Philadelphia, in particular, Washington noted and resented a burgeoning and unconcerned merchant class that carried on as if nothing was different. This is certainly at odds with the popular notions of the Minute Men and the gallant little country’s battle with imperial power where citizens rose up as one and fought together for freedom and democracy. The reality is messier than that, as most realities tend to be.
In relative terms, I guess we have always been fat cats willing to let the few fight for us, always looking for the profit angle and seeking the most comfortable solutions first.
Apparently its a pretty good formula…..
You pretty much hit the nail on the head Dave. This certainly applicable to our current administration's reasoning and action with the invasion of Iraq.
Interesting take on my point...which was how history just seems to repeat itself, including our perspectives on how things are at the moment we are in as opposed to how things have worked over time, as well as how we managed to not only persevere, but in may ways have led the world.
that was me by the way, I forgot to sign in...
"In relative terms, I guess we have always been fat cats willing to let the few fight for us, always looking for the profit angle and seeking the most comfortable solutions first."
It appears 'fat cats' do not comment either. That said I have to disagree with the title for many reasons. One small example- we have always been a county which citizenship to people of other countries, many of which have less opportunities. I have seen the fire to improve themselves and this country in these new citizens.
I have always said that since the 80's we have had a society that has a widening gap between the salaries of the "Doers" and the "Takers"
Forinstance, Investors in the commodity market make millions by simply buying and selling, but they never store or scoop any of the commodity. On the other hand the "Doers" or "pick and shovel" workers who grow, produce, scoop, store and sell the raw commodity are lucky to make ends meet.
Banks, take the money of the "Doers" and charge so many hidden fees that what money the "Doers" make is often taken by the Banks, unnanounced. Charging fees sometimes because of inactivity in an account. My Goodness.
We are a nation founded on hard work and honesty, but that seems to be lost in the shuffle now. Sadly, all the money absorbed by the "Takers" has a direct impact of the cost of the commodity as the "Doer" buys it off the shelf, thereby widening the gap by inflationary pressures.
Dane, I agree completely with the concept of this blog.
To that end, I am, and shall always remain;
Rex Bradfield