The John Adams Society

Melvin R. Welch

Chairman

A. G. Chin

Secretary

G. Larry Colson Jr.

Chief Whip

Mark Sanquist

Chancellor

MAY 2013

Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.

~John Adams

NEVER LET A SERIOUS CRISIS GO TO WASTE!  That is the mantra of public officials today.  Base appeals to the Public’s emotions.  Immediately following any high profile incident, public policymakers and political activists, like hungry wolves coming upon wounded animal prey, circle and prepare to pounce on their opponents.  They, with the help of an all too complicit Media, use these incidents to advance their agenda.  Deplorable demagogues pandering to a shell-shocked Public wrapped up in the emotions of the moment.

Furthermore, the debate, in many cases, has already been settled by the technocrats.  Why debate on a number of topics when the experts already agree?  Whether it is green energy, transportation, climate change, fiscal and monetary policy, many of these areas of public policy already have a sizeable singing chorus of experts advancing a particular view.  Of course, many of these experts fail to mention that they earn their living and grow professional influence by advancing their pet agenda.

ON THE OTHER HAND, reality eventually catches up to the demagogues and the experts.  Emotions eventually temper, and the consequences of policymakers’ decisions emerge.  In order to right the ship of state and achieve the Good, the national debate must take on a new form:  reason, supported by evidence.

THE CHAIRMAN, having surrounded himself with experts and eager to fan the fickle flames of the Public, has called a debate to settle the question

RESOLVED: There Is No Meaningful Debate!

The Debate will be held on Wednesday May 15, 2013, at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o’clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. There is no dress code, however gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies are encourage to adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen arriving sans tie yet wishing to discourse on the resolution, the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand several remarkable selections. Questions regarding debate caucus procedures of about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (612) 741-3272 or the Secretary at (612) 564-5185