Dear Mr. Franklin,
Some might find it strange that I am writing a letter to someone who has been dead for over 220 years, but in reality it isn’t. Do you want to know what is strange? It is this Presidential election cycle. With all the news about the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire Primary my head is spinning. I’m sorry Mr. Franklin you probably have no idea what an Iowa caucus, primary or Presidential Election cycle is. Heck Iowa wasn’t even a state when you were around! The best way to explain this is that it is like a carnival with elephants and donkeys, but really there are mostly clowns.
The real reason for this letter is for me to vent about politics and who better to dump it all on than a Founding Father. When I was in college some 200 years after you and 55 other gentlemen signed a document in Philadelphia that got this all started, we learned that politics is the power of persuasion, to try to make the other guy see it your way and if not try to find a compromise that benefits the people. I am sure you would agree that politics hasn’t really changed. What has really changed are the issues. Terrorism, the Affordable Care Act and the economy are just some of the big issues today but these would be Greek to you. However, some of the issues today can be downright petty.
One of the issues which both sides seem to be tossing about is one where they accuse one another of flip-flopping or changing their views and opinions. With many more important things to focus on why they are all so concerned about this is beyond me. I know this idea of waffling, flip-flopping, or whatever you called it then has a special meaning to you. After all you were probably one of the first and foremost wafflers of your day or for that matter any day.
I remember reading about one of your most famous and important flip flops which occurred during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. At that time you were not sure that the Constitution would work and you favored a unicameral government while those around you were for a two house legislature. But you listened to all the arguments for and against and made your decision based on what you knew and felt would be the best for the people. I would like to remind you of your quote at that time:
“I confess that I do not entirely approve this Constitution at present, but sir, I am not sure I shall never approve it: For having lived long, I have experienced many Instances of being oblig’d, by better Information or fuller Consideration, to change opinions on important Subjects, which I once thought Right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow the more apt I am to doubt my own Judgement, and pay more respect to the Judgement of others…. In these Sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a General Government necessary for us…”
If you hadn’t changed your mind which influenced a great many of the other delegates, this country and form of government as we know it now might have looked quite different. It was your willingness to change your mind and influence others which made you a leader that was highly respected.
I guess what you were saying is that it is not a bad thing to change your opinions, as long as it is for the good of the people or the will of ones’ constituents. I am sure that you would have been opposed to waffling for personal or professional gains. So by listening to the opinions of others one can learn and make more informed decisions. This is something that is missing from politics today as political parties have gained more influence over their members. But that is another letter for some other time, perhaps to Mr. Washington.
So Mr. Franklin thank you for taking some time to listen to someone who still feels that it may not be the best form of government but it beats the hell out of all the alternatives.
Sincerely,
Andrew DeMarco
P.S. Maybe politicians today should stop worrying about the other guy changing his mind and focusing on the real issues because circumstances change and so do opinions. I think if they all listened to you Mr. Franklin and the other Founding Fathers a bit more, maybe they could solve more of our problems. This I am sure would give us all that feeling that Cousin Bob would call that …..Rosy Glow.
Bob's Rosy Glow 
True words.