Of Publius, Centinel and Pyrrho (about this blog)

Publius and Centinel were two figures that shaped our nation. Publius was the pen name of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay in the Federalist papers in which they argued in favor of ratification of our Constitution. Centinel was the pen name of Samuel Bryan, who wrote in opposition to the Constitution in response to fears of a large government and the danger of tyrrany that it involved. These groups became known as the Federalists (Publius) and the Anti-Federalists (Centinel). It was through the reasoned collaboration and negotiation between these two parties that the Constitution that we have now was formed.

These two camps can be likened to the political parties that we have today. Publius' argument for a powerful central government can be likened to the Democrats and their argument for a larger role of government in our lives. Centinel's argument for state rights and protection from government can be likened to the Republicans. However, unlike our founding fathers, our current political parties rarely come together and cooperate and negotiate to frame pieces of legislation. That is why I took the name of Pyrrho.

Pyrrho was a Greek philosopher and the father of skepticism. He believed that for every argument, there is an equally valid argument in opposition. This makes him the perfect moderator between these two camps. I invite people of all political and social backgrounds to come together in reasoned discourse about the problems we face in society so that we can together forge real solutions. However, this blog will not tolerate personal (ad hominem) attacks, only well thought out positions please.

As far as my political views. I am a political moderate in that I am a fiscal conservative but a social liberal. I believe in minimizing government waste, reduced spending, and the power of the consumer market; however, I believe that some government intervention is necessary. I also believe in equal rights for all, the separation of state and religion, and limited government intervention in our lives.