"I do not, gentlemen, trust you."

[Subdeacon Joe]

On this day in 1787, the Constitutional Convention is underway. A small state delegate stands up and addresses the large state delegates in the room. 

 

Actually, he didn't calmly address them so much as he *blasted* this statement at them! Can't you just imagine the tension in the room when he was done? 

 

"I do not, gentlemen, trust you. If you possess the power, the abuse of it could not be checked; and what then would prevent you from exercising it to our destruction?"

 

This may be one of my favorite quotes from the Constitutional Convention. It summarizes, so succinctly, the fears felt by the citizens of so many small states at that time.  

 

How can America be self-governing, but also ensure that the large states do not constantly trample and abuse the small states? As you know, the Convention ultimately worked out many compromises. Our Constitution is full of many checks and balances that work as safeguards for our liberty.

 

Just another reason to celebrate during this long Independence Day weekend.

 

#TDIH #AmericanHistory #USHistory #liberty #freedom #ShareTheHistory

 

[Cypress Sun]

He's dead.

 

I'm not....but I don't trust 'em either.

[J-BAR #18287]

As I recall, this was the one of the reasons Representatives (Congressmen) were elected by citizens, but Senators were chosen by State Legislators, two per state.  I still don't understand the rationale for having our two-per-state senators elected like our representatives are.  I know the 17th Amendment changed Article 3 of section 1 of the Constitution, but I think it was better the way the Founders wrote it.

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

We see his concerns manifested here in Canada, where elections are over and won before the polls close in the West.

[watab kid]

this was one of the most forethinking of the early constitutionalists , we have recently seen how it works with regard to to the judicial system , hopefully it will go well in both the house and senate now ,,,,we need to review [perhaps at supreme court] the census , i believe only citizens should be counted , this BS of loading the representation with illegal's needs to be stopped even if they vote my way - i dont want them voting nor do i want them represented - they invaded our country , if they want to count go back where they came from and change that , 

 

having said that , if they came here and applied and are becoming a citizen , i feel differently , they should be counted 

[Dapper Dave]

17 hours ago, J-BAR #18287 said:

As I recall, this was the one of the reasons Representatives (Congressmen) were elected by citizens, but Senators were chosen by State Legislators, two per state.  I still don't understand the rationale for having our two-per-state senators elected like our representatives are.  I know the 17th Amendment changed Article 3 of section 1 of the Constitution, but I think it was better the way the Founders wrote it.

I fully agree - the Representatives were to represent the people, and the Senators were to represent the states. Direct election changed the dynamic in a bad way. If only the Founding Fathers had considered term limits, but a professional politician to them was almost unthinkable. 

[Sedalia Dave]

On 7/1/2025 at 10:59 AM, J-BAR #18287 said:

As I recall, this was the one of the reasons Representatives (Congressmen) were elected by citizens, but Senators were chosen by State Legislators, two per state.  I still don't understand the rationale for having our two-per-state senators elected like our representatives are.  I know the 17th Amendment changed Article 3 of section 1 of the Constitution, but I think it was better the way the Founders wrote it.

 

17 hours ago, Dapper Dave said:

I fully agree - the Representatives were to represent the people, and the Senators were to represent the states. Direct election changed the dynamic in a bad way. If only the Founding Fathers had considered term limits, but a professional politician to them was almost unthinkable. 

 

Here is the reason for the 17th amendment.

https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/electing-appointing-senators.htm

 

Unfortunately, in the long run, it has not made any difference.  About the only thing that could possibly make a real difference is term limits. But that will never happen as a Constitutional Convention in today's political climate would lead to our destruction.