A Pre-1776 World View

I had to grab these two pargraphs becuase they are very rich. Consider at a teaser to check out the whole post here:

I proudly have a post-1776 worldview, which by definition is pre-9/11 though I’d argue that Rove and I are talking past each other. In my post-1776 worldview I value the American constitution and the decision of our founders to separate the government into three branches that serve to check each others power. In fact, I think this system of government was a fan-freaking-tastic idea. Something isn’t made legal by the fact the president did it and when the president acts illegally, like say by spying on American citizens, I think it’s the right and duty of the Congress and judiciary to hold him accountable for his illegal acts.

Holding a post-1776 worldview insulates me from being paralyzed by fear of a few cave dwellers with shoe bombs and box cutters. I believe the structure of my government — whose principles are laid out in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights — is capable of protecting me physically from threats abroad while at the same time guaranteeing my civil liberties and privacy. I know, it’s a radical notion to think that something written by men far wiser that George Bush, Karl Rove and Dick Cheney over two hundred years ago might still be true today. Nevertheless, I proudly embrace my post-1776 worldview today in a post-9/11 world.