Today's Politicos vs The Words and Deeds of The Founders

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.

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President Obama is fighting for respect from not just his opponents but also from his constituents. The left is quick to point out the “disrespect” they see inherent in criticism directed at the President, but they rarely investigate why this lack of respect is so pervasive. Their premise is wrong. Every president has been subject to criticism (think of what Lincoln endured) cartoons, Saturday-night-live lampoons, and political humor come with the job. This one apparently thinks he should be immune. He is not king and we are not his subjects. We do not genuflect.

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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.

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The war considered by its supporters, as the nation's second war of independence, stirred patriotic fever among those of all ages. This article from the Niles Register was published to illustrate patriotic fervor.

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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.

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The future of the nation is being decided in Congress and not a single Republican candidate is paying attention. It is a bigger power grab than ObamaCare with even more disastrous consequences. And it's all happening under the radar.

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In the nick of time for the bicentennial of the War of 1812, the aging tombstone of the patriot who saved the Declaration of Independence and Constitution from inevitable destruction by invading British troops is once again legible and erect, a mile behind the U.S. Capitol.

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Madison was involved in every major event of early American history, before, during and after the Founding. Richard Brookhiser's serious, if too brief, biography of James Madison, is delightfully written, and replete with insights about the man and his time.

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In the early 19th century, the US Navy, perhaps more than most navies, was forced to rely on private ships granted letters of marque, which licensed them to prey on the shipping of belligerent powers. This article from the Niles register explains how they made their money.

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With the hindsight of over two hundred years, we may safely say that the concerns of those advocating a Bill of Rights were justified, regardless of the philosophical premise. Our country would be a very different place without the guarantees they offer.

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