Townships

So... I am still not very far into "Democracy in America," but I find it really interesting that the principles and structure of government that Alexis de Toqueville is describing was so unique and original at the time of the book. For instance, he has a chapter on the government of townships and describes in depth the use of town meetings and municipal officers and the role of the people in directing the government at the very basic local level. These ideas seem so commonplace to me, that is interesting to remember that they were once very novel... novel enough for a French author to come to America to study the system and write a book about it.

I also started reading the bible on January 1. I am following a schedule that Aunt Judy provided me with, and my Aunt Debbie generously lent me her bible (I have one, but it is hard back and kind of old, so I wanted a new one). So far I have just read Genesis 1-5 and Psalms 1 and 2. These are chapters that I am pretty familiar with, so nothing really new to report.