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Snackshack

(2,591 posts)
49. Benjamin Franklin was well aware of the precariousness of our government.
Fri Apr 17, 2026, 01:24 PM
Yesterday

After the constitutional convention in 1778 Franklin was asked what kind of government America has, his reply:


Benjamin Franklin's famous quote, "A republic, if you can keep it," reflects his concerns about the ongoing effort required to maintain democracy and self-governance. This statement was made during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where Franklin was asked about the nature of the government created by the delegates. He emphasized that a republic is not merely a promise but a condition that requires active participation and commitment from the people to ensure its stability and effectiveness. Franklin's perspective underscores the importance of civic engagement and the moral character of citizens in sustaining democratic principles.





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welcome to rupertstan. pansypoo53219 Thursday #1
Having grown up in Mi'ssippi, there isn't much in any of this that surprises me peppertree Yesterday #41
This message was self-deleted by its author raging moderate Yesterday #42
It's not only Mississippi. My husband and I met many bad racists in small Illinois towns. raging moderate Yesterday #43
Absolutely. peppertree Yesterday #44
Yes, it's really unbelievable that we still have Americans bluestarone Yesterday #45
Reminds me of this TV movie from 1981 BaronChocula Yesterday #50
Same here PatSeg Thursday #2
I hear ya but I am expecting it to get worse. Eko Thursday #3
100% agree. From what i've witnessed so far. My thinking? bluestarone Thursday #7
Cant argue with any of that. Eko Thursday #12
I wish i can believe that. They have gone way past anything i thought they would do. My thoughts are bluestarone Thursday #15
If impeachment really looms, he will resign, then Captain Zero Thursday #30
Then off to NY State prison. POTUS cannot pardon state crimes, including those for which he has already been convicted. eppur_se_muova Yesterday #35
I knew how bad they'd TRY to make it, and B.See Thursday #4
The money men malaise Thursday #5
Would it make a difference Hope I am clear here Thursday #33
Nice dreams malaise Thursday #34
Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote Yesterday #47
We already have term limits: vote them out. marble falls 22 hrs ago #67
I knew how bad they would be to women - TBF Thursday #6
Agree 100% Want to add here bluestarone Thursday #9
I could easily envision a GOP POS going off the rails Skittles Thursday #8
Yes they have made their final decision take over our country. They will not stop, i'm afraid. bluestarone Thursday #11
How it is blubunyip Thursday #10
Well, he's got control of everything. Think about it. For example a millionaire goes to a grocery store or car dealer bluestarone Thursday #14
Many of thought we had some checks and balances against this sort of thing. No Kings IronLionZion Thursday #13
My maternal grandfather was a immigrant from Germany who came here in 1953 MustLoveBeagles Thursday #16
I'm scared. stuntcat Thursday #17
I started worrying once the Patriot Act was passed. That's when the Constitution... PeaceWave Thursday #18
Trump is just the useful tool, HighFired49 Thursday #27
I'm talking about things that pre-dated Trump and that actually set the stage for him... PeaceWave Thursday #32
America will not be attacked militarily, BidenRocks Thursday #19
Well seems like they have always had that 32% in their corner. bluestarone Thursday #20
I never believed it would be possible to so completely stack the SCOTUS MLWR Thursday #21
That has continued to shock me too. Haggard Celine Thursday #23
Never had any of this on my bingo card but I do feel the ousting of Orban is a plus vapor2 Thursday #22
I disagree with your last sentence, "ungodly". Frst, of course, is that niyad Thursday #24
As bad as things are right now...... OAITW r.2.0 Thursday #25
I hope you're right, my friend. calimary Yesterday #46
I'm bemused that Orban even allowed an election in Hungary MadameButterfly Yesterday #60
I know. And we can't wake up from the nightmare. It's neverending and it's for real. 50 Shades Of Blue Thursday #26
The optimist in me says we'll wake up someday EnergizedLib Thursday #28
And when Democrats take back control of Congress, and find themselves unable to reverse all of his destruction, sop Thursday #29
I graduated from high school right into the Reagan economy. Arthur_Frain Thursday #31
Many think the Supreme Court and the corrupt DOJ completely insulate Trump from accountability. summer_in_TX Yesterday #36
Not to mention the foreign influence that Isreal and Russia have. Initech Yesterday #37
Honestly, I have seen this coming since my early adult years in the 90s Cosmocat Yesterday #38
And, some of us have been expecting it for some time. OldBaldy1701E Yesterday #39
One more thought here. I'm of the thinking that our great country has ONE more chance to survive. That would be the bluestarone Yesterday #40
Exactly what I've been feeling. It's a nightmare. It's depressing. But we've got to hold on and help rebuild. Martin68 Yesterday #48
Benjamin Franklin was well aware of the precariousness of our government. Snackshack Yesterday #49
It's the billionaire class protecting him dlk Yesterday #51
Nope, Republicans at every level of government. The crimnal bastids dave99 Yesterday #63
Republicans being financed by the billionaires... dlk Yesterday #66
I knbew the moment Trump[ was elected. edhopper Yesterday #52
By playing the long game. hadEnuf Yesterday #53
The toxic totalitarian The Wizard Yesterday #54
This is the culmination of the class war the Robber Barons declared against the New Deal 95 PatrickforB Yesterday #55
If Merrick Garland wasn't asleep at the wheel The Wizard Yesterday #56
Me, too, bluestarone. ShazzieB Yesterday #57
it is a perfect storm of fuckery and (cowardice by the GOP) themaguffin Yesterday #58
We are a pariah nation now and I AM NOT PROUD TO BE AMERICAN BUT EMBARASSED! kimbutgar Yesterday #59
100% bluestarone Yesterday #65
shitstain just proving that Republicans ARE racists, sexist, pedophiles. which is why it got away with all this dave99 Yesterday #61
Time to get rid of presidential pardon power MadameButterfly Yesterday #62
My thoughts exactly. BHDem53 Yesterday #64
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