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One of the aspects I seem to remember most about the writings of Thomas Paine is his criticism of heredity in government. This was a prime criticism of monarchies or aristocracies. It is irrational to pass on power on the mere basis of family.
The obsession over the intent of the founders is a kind of political aristocracy. It assumes that they are best interpreters of the Constitution, and that there are no heirs.
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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön
Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot
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