I don’t know how we arrived at a place where we thought everyone would support democracy because it was an intellectually superior form of government. All of human history contradicts that notion.
If you think of our country as Christian and sober, it is probably because you are more familiar with our later history. Taverner Root in Lenox was hauled into court when his customers, well-lubricated, were found dancing on tables, singing and shouting.
The public disdained using the new roadbed for several years. You can improve our roads, but you can’t make us use them, people declared silently.
-- Reaction in 1812 to improvements in what would become Route 7
