The worst of times?

I missed this post by Lance Manion, who is definitely smarter than me, earlier in the week but it's worth a read today. The worst of times
Here is a teaser:

The man asked, "What kind of government have you given us, Mr Franklin?"

And Ben replied, "A Republic. If you can keep it."

If you can keep it wasn't a challenge or a joke. It was a mischievious expression of real doubt and pessimism.

The Founders gave us a form of government that their understanding of history and human nature told them wouldn't last. Republics require a virtuous, intelligent, well-educated, vigilant citizenry who can put the needs of their neighbors ahead of their own self-interest most of the time, who are imaginative enough that they can see their self-interest as being dependent upon sacrificing it from time to time for the good of people they don't know and are never likely to meet.

In other words, Republics require a citizenry of Martians and all we have here are human beings.

When you read the works of the founding fathers you would have to believe that they would be shocked that the republic has lasted as long as it has. So much for "original-ism".