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If you argued this in the past tense then I might agree with you. However to
suggest that we are still class conscious is to repeat a fallacy which seems
to result from an unrealistic stereotyping (is there another kind ?) of our
national character.
In any case, even if we were class conscious as a nation, acceptance of
class difference does not in any way mean that a given individual from one
class is impliedly *better* than someone from another class. It's merely a
recognition of *difference*, which is natural and neccesary for a society to
function healthily. The English system has always included class mobility
based on merit, and it was for this purpose that ability to award titles was
used in the past.
Conversely, I would suggest that American society (again stereotypically and
perhaps fallacially) likes to pretend it is classless. Jokes about Alabama
trailer dwellers aside, class in America means money and there is probably
no other country on earth where the divide is greater.
iain
----- Original Message -----
From: John F Berentson <jberentson@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: iain <iain@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Bill Wynne <tradewynne@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <omega-list@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2000 9:58 PM
Subject: RE: [off topic] I'm a millionaire!!!!
> I'm sure that you will agree that the class conscious English are hardly a
> manifestation of Locke's principles. You may be unaware that one thing
> fomenting the American Revolution was an attempt by the British crown to
> introduce titles into the colonies. Our fore fathers took Locke to heart
and
> were concerned that America would end up reflecting the class values
present
> at that time in England. To forestall that, they revolted. The genius of
the
> colonists was in the belief and application of the principles of freedom
and
> equality.
>
> The English have a glorious history and culture of which you may be justly
> proud. However, when, as Winston Churchill did in his "History of the
> English Speaking People," you take credit for America's culture and
> accomplishments, you perhaps go too far.
>
> JFB
> Shaven Heads Trading
> NYC
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: iain [mailto:iain@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2000 1:49 PM
> > To: Bill Wynne
> > Cc: omega-list@xxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: [off topic] I'm a millionaire!!!!
> >
> >
> > Actually, the Glorious Revolution, which dispatched the
> > absolutist James II,
> > occurred in 1688 and from that date onwards power passed to the direct
> > representatives of the common people in Parliament (The House of
Commons)
> > and was enshrined in the Bill of Rights 1689.
> >
> > From that date onwards the Monarch has effectively been an employee of
the
> > people, having no authority whatsoever to go against the rule of the
> > majority in Parliament.
> >
> > On closer examination of the facts you may also note the
> > similarity between
> > the writings of the English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704)
> > and your own
> > Constitution.
> >
> > I quote from "Of the beginning of Political Societies" which I think was
> > written around 1690 :
> >
> > "Men being as has been said by nature all free, equal and independent,
no
> > man can be put out of this estate and subjected to the political power
of
> > another without his own consent" [which can only be given by] "agreeing
to
> > join and unite into a community for their safe and peaceable living one
> > amongst another in a secure enjoyment of their properties and a greater
> > security against those that are not of it"
> >
> > Something like government of the people for the people by the people
> >
> > So we beat you to it mate !
> >
> > Iain
>
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