Op/Ed: Alex Hamilton Would Be Proud

Today marks the 203rd anniversary of the death of Alexander Hamilton. Born on January 11, 1755, he rose to prominence as a Founding Father. As we reflect on his death, it’s interesting to me to see that one of his visions has practically come true.

The year was 1787. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention had been roasting for weeks in a room with windows closed for secrecy. A member of the New York delegation, Alex Hamilton rose on June 18, 1787 to give his thoughts on the document that would become the Constitution. For six hours, he held forth with a vision so far askew from the rest of the delegates that it never came to pass. Until today. Democracy is dangerous and ultimately can result in mob rule, Hamilton said. What we need is a strong executive, an elected monarch who will serve for life. The Senate should also serve for life, he proposed. Both ideas have been partly fulfilled in the modern day. We have a massive federal government whose executive has taken up tremendous monarchical powers. The Senate, and to some extent the House, is full of career politicians. The 20 most senior Senators have served an average of over 20 years each in their posts. Senator Byrd, the most senior member, has served since 1959. Alexander Hamilton died as a result of a duel in Weehawken, New Jersey with Vice President Aaron Burr. (Contrary to popular belief, Dick Cheney is not the first vice president in the habit of shooting people). Hamilton died on July 12, 1804. Had he lived to the present day, he would marvel at the natural progression of people in power to make his vision of June 18th, 1787 come true. And at the ripe old age of 252, he would just beat out Senator Byrd for seniority.