Friday, February 08, 2013

Alexis de Tocqueville

Alexis de Tocqueville reminded the nation that in 1830, 36 members of Congress were born in that tiny state of Connecticut, supplying 1/8th of the representation, although it was only 1/43rd of the population. How? By people leaving that state and moving westward to become rich landowners and then becoming legislators. I guess wealth and Congress have a long relationship.

Alexis de Tocqueville also noted that as Americans moved westward to achieve freedom, land ownership, and wealth, "the progress of man is so rapid that the desert reappears behind him. The woods stoop to give him a passage, and spring up again when he is past. It is not uncommon, in crossing the new States of the West, to meet with deserted dwellings in the midst of the wilds; the traveller frequently discovers the vestiges of a log-house in the most solitary retreat, which bear witness to the power, and no less to the inconstancy, of man."

Sometimes I think this about modern technology. Like my “not-so-smart” phone. Good enough for me even if it is a log-house in the deserted woods that he spoke of.

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