The truth about founding of U.S.

By: GENE VITAMANTI - For The Californian | Sunday, December 16, 2007 11:25 PM PST ∞

Our founding fathers ---- the most used and misused of all references ---- even to the point of names being wrongly represented and their sayings deliberately misquoted or distorted. I find an appalling lack of knowledge, understanding and even forgetfulness of U.S. history amongst our citizens.

It has long been recognized that you can always interpret something that someone wrote or said to back your point of view. To be accurate, it is necessary to know the context of the quote and the events surrounding it. As a former history teacher, please allow me to clarify some of the inaccuracies.

The first is about why and when our nation was founded. Our nation wasn't founded at Jamestown or Plymouth or any of the other colonial "landings." These were places where specific colonies were established under the English flag with four exceptions, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, which were taken by England from other countries. The major reason for colonization was always economic. The colonists considered themselves Englishmen and were loyal to their king. There was never a thought about establishing a new country.

Political ties between the colonies were rare. Each had its own legislative body and passed its own laws ---- subject to acceptance by England ---- and its own state religion. Rhode Island was the only colony without a state religion.

There were 13 separate colonies with virtually no ties except some trade.

Any reference to them as Americans is in error. Any reference to them as being unified in their religion is also in error. They were Christians but with a number of different sects, frequently clashing with each other ---- Protestant vs. Catholic being the most strident.

We did not officially become a nation until after the Revolutionary War was sealed by the Treaty of Paris, 1783, and ratified by the Congress of Confederation, 1784. Even then we were not a real country but a very loose confederation of 13 separate states barely hanging together.

It wasn't until the Constitution was written and ratified by the states in 1788, that we officially became the United States. Even then there was a catch, the new Congress had to amend the Constitution with a Bill of Rights in 1791.

Almost from the beginning we began to argue over the meaning of the Constitution and we have never stopped. The most basic difference has been over "strict" or "loose" construction or interpretation ---- especially over states' rights.

Our federal and state courts, politicians, the man-in-the-street, religious people, conservatives and liberals are constantly arguing this point ---- and just about all of them use our "founding fathers" as references for their particular point of view.

A founder is someone who participated in the signing of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution or as leaders in the American Revolution. To get a good list go to the excellent Internet encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

The Constitution had no provision for political parties because the framers believed that political parties were essentially destructive. But the ink was hardly dry when parties began to form ---- becoming rather vicious from the beginning.

This is where we stand today with no change in the viciousness of political parties.

Gene Vitamanti is a freelance columnist who lives in Murrieta. Email genevit1@verizon.net.

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Parent wrote on Dec 17, 2007 5:47 AM:What did you say? I am struggling to find value in this commentary. All you have argued / said is that the making of this country took years to accomplish and is in fact still going on! What you didn't say is that under our "current system" we have allowed the courts to rewrite the laws and many of our rights by deliberately interpreting the constitution in a very liberal anti religious, anti nationalistic manner that supports a secular government vice the 90% of this country that believes in a God of one kind or another! Can you explain this turn of events?

Skip wrote on Dec 17, 2007 8:11 AM:Everyone knows that the white man stole this country from the Mexicans.

Point is... wrote on Dec 17, 2007 10:54 AM:I think the point is that the "divisiveness" and "viscousness" that seems to pervade the political and social conversations these days is really nothing new, while many leaders and commentators seem to want us to believe that the "other side" is worse than ever in it's underhanded attacks and that the "good guys" are the ones actually the ones furthering the ideals set forth by those that "founded" the US. The tools (blogs vs pamphlets) might have changed, but nothing else really has. It's called a "Historical Perspective", and it's why we are supposed to study history. The "turn of events" that Parent mentions is simply the evolution of society (of course, Parent probably doesn't believe in evolution based on the comments). That also can be put into historical perspective, but to do so it takes some objectivity (again, probably something that Parent doesn't believe in).

to Skip wrote on Dec 17, 2007 2:44 PM:Not until AFTER he stole it from the Native Indians.

Roberto1 wrote on Dec 17, 2007 3:11 PM:Posting Skips racist comment(s) is nothing more than race baiting. He very well know the land (western U.S.)was in fact stolen from the Mexicans.

I want to hear more wrote on Dec 17, 2007 3:48 PM:Thank you Mr Vitamanti for your article, I really enjoyed reading it and learning. I don't remember reading about this in my Civics class. 'Parent' is a prime example why it would be great if you wrote more to help educate citizens. All this about America being a Christian country is nonsense. All I know is that the 'founding fathers' were wealthy landowners that owned slaves so what they believed in in the late 18th C means nothing in 2007.

Bob wrote on Dec 17, 2007 7:29 PM:The best thing that ever happened to the West was to be given to the US after the treaty of Guadalupe-Hildago and the later purchase of the rest. If Mexico is so great then go back. This land was never yours. The only reason "Mexicans" were even up here was because of the Spanish mission system. Native Americans occupied the land. ...

Roberto1 wrote on Dec 17, 2007 8:52 PM:Go back where Bob?....If you knew about south-west history you would know some of us "Mexicans" have been here for generations and those Native-Americans you speak about are in fact our ancestors also. Let me break it down for you (in general) Spanish plus Native-American = Mexican ancestry...comprende? I'm sure Iraq feels the way along with Cuba, Vietnam etc...with that said, my relatives have fought for the right for me to say something you might not like...

Parent to I want wrote on Dec 18, 2007 4:46 AM:IF YOU READ MY POST, you will notice I didn't say anything about this being a Christan country, especially today! I said the US is a coiuntry in which 90% of the people that live here believe in a God, period! I notice you want to "blame" the establishment of this country on the fact that the men who stepped up were wealthy. So what? They were also the leaders of the day and without their courage and foresight this country would not have happened. The issue of slavery, at that time in the history of the colonies was in fact a non issue. Stop believeing the lefts version of how screwed up this country is and take your own advice and get educated!

TO Roberto wrote on Dec 18, 2007 6:54 AM:Another false claim. There were never any Mexicans here. The only people that were here were the numerous bands of indians. Mexicans were in Mexico. They did not want to come north into the southwest becuase the indians, mainly the Apache and Commanche were too much for them to handle. they also did not want to live in the harsh climate. Some did settle in spots along the California coast. These for the most part ignored the corrupt politics of Mexico city and did their own thing. they did not even identify theselves as Mexicans but instaed called themselves californians. Stop with the false claims roberto and wake up to reality. ...

esteban wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:56 AM:This place was fine until the liberals screwed it up...

Nic wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:56 AM:To Roberto: Funny, you actually admit that most Mexicans are decendants of Spanish/Native Americans. It just proves the point that Mexico never belonged to the Mexicans. And why is it, that people in a 3rd world Country treat the Natives like 4th class people?

What? wrote on Dec 18, 2007 11:23 AM:What? 'Parent' objects to the courts changing the laws of the land? and wants a religious and nationalistic government? Unbelievable. Must support what the Taliban did in Afghanistan then...

Parent to what? wrote on Dec 18, 2007 12:30 PM:You are as ignorant as the other person. Read and educate yourself!

Yule Log wrote on Dec 18, 2007 5:00 PM:The problem with this country is that 90% of the population have an imaginary friend called "God". Some even think that "God" speaks to them. There's a pill for that.

To parent wrote on Dec 18, 2007 5:09 PM:You didn't realize it but your incoherent rambling perfectly illustrated why there should be a secular government. Different gods, superstitions, beliefs and religions in government would equal chaos. That is why our country is great: the separation of church and state.

Alf wrote on Dec 18, 2007 6:29 PM:The question "Yule Log" at 5:00PM, is which variation in the benzodiazipine class are you talking about? They range from mild to "where am I?" strength, Ativan is the most troublesome because it allows the patient the privilege of not being able to distinguish dream from actual memory. There are very few drugs that I hate, Ativan is one, it and any of its close cousins are verboten. Merry Christmas! Alf.

Roberto1 wrote on Dec 18, 2007 7:24 PM:Stop with the false claims roberto and wake up to reality. ... REPLY: Go tell that to all the spanish speaking Native Americans....

Roberto1 wrote on Dec 19, 2007 3:55 AM:Guess what bud...I'm Mexican on fathers side before your ilk showed up....Mexican-American true by definition and proud of it....Go talk visit the Missions and the Native -American who do in fact speak spanish...just right down the road from you....that is reality and no denial ...will change the fact that the land was stolen.....

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