George Washington on Party Politics

[BibleLover]

This is an extract of portions of George Washington's farewell address to the nation dealing with party politics. It appears that by ignoring his advice, our leaders have divided the nation and created a serious political conundrum.

"One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection....The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty."

 

[Major]

This is an extract of portions of George Washington's farewell address to the nation dealing with party politics. It appears that by ignoring his advice, our leaders have divided the nation and created a serious political conundrum.

"One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection....The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty."

The United States has long been known for what some sociologists call “civil religion” – a shared, nonsectarian faith centered on the flag, the nation’s founding documents, and God. But the God factor is waning, as so-called nones – atheists, agnostics, and those who self-identify as “nothing in particular” – have risen to one-third of the U.S. population, according to a major 2020 survey out of Harvard University.

 

[Musicmaster]

This is an extract of portions of George Washington's farewell address to the nation dealing with party politics. It appears that by ignoring his advice, our leaders have divided the nation and created a serious political conundrum.

"One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection....The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty."

The web is abuzz with just about every possible combination of what's wrong and how to fix it all, based on criteria so numerous that one is left awash in a sea of confusing smorgasbord of agendas, schemes, conspiracy theories, calls to arms, et al.

In all that clamoring of jangles and cymbals, there's that still small voice that comes through it all to speak to the hearts of those who will listen...the Voice of the One who is in control of it all.

Therein is a large part of the reason I continue to ask the Lord for His Thoughts and His Ways, no matter how much higher they are in relation to ours, because in His Thoughts and His Ways, there is that sea of placid peacefulness that surpasses our otherwise incapable understanding that only He is able to enlighten.

Amen?

MM