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Interview by Kourosh Ziabari
Some Final Comments
Thomas Edison called Tom Paine America's most important political thinker. His writings profoundly influenced the nation's founders. His words bear relevance today.
"These are the times that try men's souls," he said. He also wrote:"When we contemplate the fall of empires and the extinction of nations of the Ancient World, we see but little to excite our regrets than the mouldering ruins of pompous palaces, magnificent museums, lofty pyramids and walls and towers of the most costly workmanship; but when the empire of America shall fall, the subject for contemplative sorrow will be infinitely greater than crumbling brass and marble can inspire."
"It will not then be said, 'Here stood a temple of vast antiquity; here rose a babel of invisible height; or there a palace of sumptuous extravagance; but here, ah, painful thought! the noblest of work of human wisdom, the grandest scene of human glory, the fair cause of Freedom rose and fell."
He was light years ahead of his time. So was Benjamin Franklin. He warned that America's republic one day would fail. "When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald" its end. He also said those who "give up essential liberty (for) temporary safety deserve neither." They'll end up losing both.
James Madison called war the most dreaded enemy of freedom. He wasn't alone.
Modern thinkers issued similar warnings. Chalmers Johnson denounced America's imperial presidency. He described " sorrows invading our lives." He envisioned inevitable constitutional collapse.
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