Times Are Different Now Than They Were in 1776

To The Editor:
We are now living in the year 2010, not 1776.
For all the well-meaning folks who like to cite George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, God bless. They were great guys, slave owners, but well meaning with all due respect. However, we have advanced in the last 230 years. When you cite the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, etc., try to remember: There are now 50 states, not 13.
Times are rather different, therefore, we must approach and react differently. For example, there were no electronics, TV, power grids, autos, airplanes or newsmakers. They wrote with quill pens and ink and used carrier pigeons. They did foresee something called constitutional amendments and as time changes, we must apply these tools.
As for the Second Amendment, they had single- shot arms, equivalent to BB guns. They were unaware of automatic weapons, such as AK47’s, Kalashnikovs, Uzis and nuclear programs. Don’t you think they would have written differently had they known?
They presented to us a foundation for democracy and it worked for hundreds of years. Then we began to abuse it. Not in 2009 or 2010, but I believe the abuse was accelerated in 1980. This is when regulation broke down and since there have been unnecessary wars fought and massive debt creation. So I say to well-meaning history buffs, just keep things in perspective. They did what they had to in 1776, and we must do what we must in 2010.
There are flaws in our constitution and radicals on our Supreme Court, but we do have checks and balances to hopefully adjust. The founders, in their behalf, loved our country and did nothing to divide it as some do today…our radio talk show hosts as a prime example. Yet the gullibles listen to this trash talk and it has an impact. Let’s rethink our priorities. Tell me something, historians, do you think Sarah Palin is equipped to do what Thomas Jefferson did?
God bless America.
WILLIAM J. MURPHY
Cape May