Too many words or too little concern?

by loyaltoliberty on June 12, 2012

This is an exchange of comments in response to Restoring Representation- A Strategic Proposal III (Concluded).  I think it may be of interest to all.

johninohio commented:

Alan, what you have said is important and profound. However, I concluded that by only reading a small portion of what you have written, skimmed some and completely blew off the rest. Why?
Too many words! Too much repetition! Nobody is going to read all of this and take it seriously. You MUST pare it down to a concise summary that can be read in less than 15 minutes. You don’t have to convince us that there is a problem. We know all too well! We are much more interested in the solution. Get us there quickly, or we’ll lose interest.

 

alkeyes replied:

It intrigues me that there are many more people in America today who know know how to read than there were in the colonies at the time of the revolution, but far fewer who have the patience to do so.
I think it comes of so many years of TV shows, movies, TV newsreaders, etc., and the influence of fads in speed reading and the like.  It also comes of the fact that many read through reams of material on clothes, food, make-up, cars and fantasy football, but squirm with impatience to read through one chapter of the Bible.  Some things are not so much to be “read” as thought on and prayed over.
I know for a fact, though, that some people have had the patience to read and digest the series.  Given that fact, perhaps the example of America’s founding generation recommends a course of action.
At the time of the revolution, as a remedy for the fact that in some colonies a significant proportion of the citizens were illiterate,  people would gather in homes, churches, or public houses (taverns, coffee houses and the like) and someone who knew how to read would read aloud newspaper articles (like the ones we know as the Federalist papers) for the benefit of the rest.  Perhaps we should revive this practice now.  This whole series will be available shortly as a downloadable pamphlet.  What if people used the pamphlet for reading groups, that could also serve as planning sessions for implementation? That way, as articles like these are being read aloud people could make comments, ask questions and help each other think things through. (FYI, before I publish most of my articles and blog pieces I read and discuss them via phone or Skype, with one or two friends.  So I know that doing so is helpful to clarity.)
BTW, if someone gave you a forty page pamphlet and said that you had to read it, understand what you read and follow through, or else in a very little while you and those you love would lose their liberty, their individual rights, their prosperity and quite possibly even their lives; at what point would you lose interest?  The problem here may not be the length of what is written, but the tragic failure to appreciate what is at stake.
Godspeed.

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  • Thoughtful_Citizen

    I don’t think everyone has the temperament to read long discourses. I won’t bother with every writer. In Alan Keyes’ case I do. That’s because he has very carefully reasoned ideas. The more I learn about the founding principles of the nation, the more I realize that his ideas are deeply grounded in those principles. I want to follow his reasoning carefully.
    By the same token, I think there is a place for honest communicators who are able to take the time to digest the ideas and condense them for less patient people.
    I think there has always been a need for this intervention. Even in the Founders’ day, I doubt if the entire populace was educated, patient or literate enough to forge through the writings of John Locke, Hobbes, etc.

  • CMR

    If johninohio is any indication of the overall quality of the American electorate, as I suspect he is, then we are in serious trouble.  For a number of years now, it has been my thought that we are engaged in a very real crisis of self government.  This is not because of any deficiency or defect of any kind in our foundational document, the Declaration, or in its implementing document, our Constitution.  It is due entirely to the serious decline of competence of the electorate.  I found this piece in three parts by Mr. Keyes to be a delight to read and consider and ponder over; but it is not light fare as if one were reading the copy any of the media talking heads read from their teleprompters every day.  The piece brought to my mind an article I read in the American Spectator in 2010 titled “America’s Ruling Class and the Perils of Revolution.”  Finally, while I understand Mr. Keyes’s response explaining his disdain for the term “ruling class,” I respectfully disagree.   The reason is that the latter term informs in no uncertain terms of  the nature of the opponent which we confront in what I believe has come to pass:  A Crisis in Self Government.  I am of one heartfelt accord, however, with Mr. Keyes concerning the folly of conceding this issue in effect becoming in our own hearts and minds the ones the ruling class rules over, the slaves if you will who make the machinery work.

  • Mahunt100

    Sorry, but I find the writing wordy as well. I simply scan for content.

  • Dairyfarmer

    Dr. Keyes,
    Never abridge your writing! The more words, the better! I, for one, love to ponder your written message, always have! Although I am new to this electronic “messaging,” I have been a long-term fan of your erudite perspectives, which years back were in printed form in traditional media publications (newsprint, that is!!). Your spoken and written eloquence and mastery of the English language are delightful to behold!!! Let the impatient abstract your statements and elucidations. The rest of us will continue to savor EVERY word–and re-read– in slow motion!May God continue to bless you in the work you do to inspire the rest of us to “hope” and “act.”Best regards…a devoted and appreciative fan 

  • Gcsteven

    More than half of any solution is understanding the problem. Is it any wonder than, that Washington D.C., doesn’t have any solutions: they’re the problem.

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