Misty, I don't think the world was simpler then. I think we have a great deal to learn from the French, British and US philosophers of the past. The ideas were complex and their rationale was exquisite.
Their messages transcend our usual left/right bickering. Their messages take a little more concentration than can be focussed into a 30 secound soundbite for the telly.
Many of these people had fought the tyranny of kings and the state personally at great risk.
It is worth reading (even on Wiki) summaries of the thoughts of some of the greats such as Hume, Bentham, Voltaire and the US Declaration of Independence.
