Today's post is inspired by the "Sensible Centrists" who have been popping up across the blogosphere. To the Brendan Nyhans, the Jennifer Seniors, the Marty Peretzes and especially the Lee Siegels of the world, this is for you.

Now, let us travel back in time 230 years, to a turning point in this country's history. And there, jotting away, is the Sensible Centrist of his day...