Category — George Washington

Glenn Beck’s recent book on Washington is not a biography, a political rant, or even a history. Instead it is book designed to show the difference one man of character can make. It is a challenge to all Americans to be people of character.

The Founders distrusted overly strong governments. That’s why they engineered a limited republic. Today, Americans seem to turn to their government to validate and protect real and presumed rights, and increasingly rely on government to guarantee the substance of life. Many modern Americans embrace national authority and fight to enlarge governmental powers. The Founders would be appalled. What would the Founders think about growing government power? Here is what they said in their own words.

As we observe this holiday season, it is appropriate to take a moment and consider what we have to celebrate. If we could turn to Washington he would likely recommend that we learn from experience, understand what is at stake, and never give up.

This has not been a particularly joyful season inside the beltway. All we’ve seen is a lot of clamoring, to little effect. In the hinterlands, we hear the echoes of the politicians’ raucous debate about government spending, government borrowing, and government intrusion into our homes and business. One side yells that the only solution is to tax the rich until they squeal, while the other side of the aisle insists we must reform entitlements or go the way of Greece. What would the Founders think about all this? Here is what they said in their own words.

On this day, 212 years ago, George Washington died. He was the right guy, at the right time, in the right place. Harry “Light-horse” Lee was right on the mark with his famous eulogy, Washington really was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

The Founders feared an overly powerful government. Governments govern … which means they exercise power. George Washington may have said it best, “Government is not reason: It is not eloquence, it is Force, like fire it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” James Madison chimed in by adding, “The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.”

William Fowler’s American Crisis describes a period neglected by most historians. Contrary to popular perception, the struggle for freedom came very close to being lost during the two years after Yorktown. Readers will find this book absorbing and difficult to put down.

The president apparently pays scant attention to history. If he did he would know it’s all been tried before with similarly lousy results.

Help us choose a T-Shirt Design! Which version of George Washington do you like?

William Nester’s book explores the roots of America’s unique political culture. Readers will understand why America is not like Greece or Iran.