Trip to the Museum

Source: The New York Times

Over the weekend I decided to take a trip to the National Museum of American History which just opened following a two year $85 million renovation. Walking through the military history section of the museum I was unsurprised to see a fair amount devoted to the Revolutionary War and George Washington. Washington is a favorite figure of mine for many obvious reasons along with perhaps some not so obvious ones, such as his pivotal role in defusing the Newburgh Conspiracy.

Among his many admirable traits perhaps the most inspiring was his humbleness as evidenced by his refusal to serve more than two terms as president. Try to place yourself in his shoes at that moment in history. Having guided the Continental Army to victory he was a legend in his own time. His very presence was the glue that helped keep the Constitutional Convention together. There were even whispers of making him king. And yet, when presented with power for the taking he demurred, giving himself limited authority while in office and declining to serve a third term after a reluctant second term.

How many of our leaders today would do the same? Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City, has such a high opinion of himself that he successfully pushed for term limits to be overturned in order to free himself to run for a third term, citing the need for his self-proclaimed steady hand during the current financial crisis as justification. Ted Stevens has made himself at home in the Senate since the 1960s while Robert Byrd was first elected to the body in the 1950s. Supreme Court justice John Paul Stevens has resided on the Supreme Court since the Ford Administration. The list of such figures is endless.

Where are today's humble servants of the people? Where are the citizen legislators?

Walking by a huge blow-up picture of the Declaration of Independence I also reflected on the signers, who quite literally placed their lives on the line by signing a document that amounted to treason of the highest order. All this for a chance at freedom and self-rule, against the most powerful empire of the time.

I sometimes wonder if we are the worthy heirs of such men. What would these founding fathers say if they were to sit in judgement of us today?