MSNBC host Ali Velshi recently delivered a monologue on air, urging Democrats to adopt more aggressive tactics in political battles. The segment, which has attracted attention online, included historical references and criticism of the current state of American politics.
During his remarks, Velshi reflected on the origins of the U.S. Constitution and Benjamin Franklin’s role at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He noted that Franklin acknowledged flaws in the document but believed it was preferable to monarchy. Velshi stated:
“Today we speak with some reverence about the U.S. Constitution. The document, remarkable for its time, that established our democracy and still guides and informs our rights and freedoms to this day. But when the U.S. Constitution was presented to the Founding Fathers for ratification, they weren’t universally enthusiastic about it.
In 1787, ever the optimist, 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin delivered his final speech to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. He had to convince several delegates to sign on to the Constitution. Many of them harbored hesitations.
In fact, Franklin had a few himself. He acknowledged that the Constitution was indeed flawed and left space for the possibility that over time, as society and opinions changed, so would this document. But despite its faults, Franklin believed this Constitution was better than the alternative, living under a monarchy without representative democracy.
It was the no-kings movement of the time. Franklin was able to persuade the holdouts. The Constitution was signed, and the United States of America was born.
It is said that on the way out of the convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked what sort of government the delegates had just created. He responded, quote, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.'”
Velshi described American democracy as resilient but warned that it requires ongoing effort: “Our Constitution, and more broadly, our democracy, has been resilient, more of a cactus than a rose. But it does require some attention. Even in easy times, this democracy needs care.”
He continued by expressing concern about current political conditions: “And we’re not in easy times. Right now, it’s in dire need of defense, and it needs defenders who are willing to do whatever it takes.”
Velshi argued that healthy competition between political parties is necessary for democracy: “True democracy also requires the competition of ideas. When that does not exist, political parties stop functioning properly. And when even one of our two major parties stops functioning, democracy itself is put at risk.”
He then criticized Republicans: “We all know by now that the Republican Party is no longer a functioning political party in America. It is a fully captured vessel of authoritarianism, which makes it even more vital that the Democratic Party rise to this moment in defense of our democracy.” He added concerns about Democratic leadership: “But whether national democratic leadership is unwilling or simply unable to do so they are largely not rising to this moment.”
The monologue sparked reactions online after being shared by commentators such as Tom Shattuck https://t.co/dXthGodX1Ypic.twitter.com/EH36ve3Qcf.
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