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

Class warfare, political infighting, or a lingering sympathy for a condemned man? Whatever the reason, Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge successfully argued in the House of Representatives against increasing the pension of three erstwhile American heroes. This week's crossword is taken from an article in the Niles Weekly Register which evidently did not agree.

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Cato letter Nos. 59-60 argue that man’s freedom is given by God, and that all men are equal in His sight. Men, having been given free will, are not virtuous by nature and, acknowledging their imperfections, create governments so that they may live in safety and harmony together. In the American Republic, the Founders said, that being the case, all men must likewise be equal under the laws government creates. However, governments, being creations of men, are also imperfect. Cato prescribes a way to keep government from exceeding its mandate and trampling on the liberties of the governed.

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In Marc Leepson's short book on this important "American", Lafayette's membership in the cadre of remarkable men who made the founding possible is revealed. He seemed always to be where he was most needed and to always perform beyond expectation both on the battlefield and in the political arena.

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The system of checks and balances we gloss over in the education system deserves a closer look. The Constitution is a contract that ensures those checks and balances and that the government is ultimately answerable to the people. It's not a "living document" as so many would have us believe. No lawyer believes in a living contract. If something isn’t working properly, then the contract must be amended, and contracts are amended every day all over this country. In fact, the United States Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times. That doesn't mean that the contract is subject to interpretation - just amendment through the designated process.

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Gingrich and Forstchen's novel, Valley Forge, is fun to read and makes for a great introduction to some exciting and interesting history. For those that have done some reading, it's like a family reunion with visits from old friends! Like their trilogy on the Civil War, Valley Forge doesn't disappoint. Unlike the trilogy, this is not an alternative history, but a historical novel. 5 stars!

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This week's crossword puzzle is derived from John Adams' most influential writing of the Revolutionary period, Thoughts on Government.

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"We, the People" are the very first words to the United States Constitution, setting the tone for the American Experiment. It's only fitting, then, to examine the ideas from the very first Federalist essay in order to understand their true importance, even into our day.

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Winston Churchill is supposed to have said that history is written by the victors. The implication being that posterity will know the past from the standpoint of the winners and that the losers will get short shrift. That might explain why so little is known about the fate of the Americans who were loyal to the Crown. Liberty's Exiles by Maya Jasanoff fills that void.

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This book reveals the story behind Boston Tea Party. It is as much a tale of political infighting as it is an account of patriotism and sacrifice. Sam Adams, John Hancock, and James Otis and others are revealed as flawed but courageous patriots whose activities began a revolution.

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Larry Schweikart's What Would The Founders Say is a book we've been waiting anxiously for. The title alone was enough to pique our interest. The best-selling author of A Patriot's History of the United States, doesn't disappoint with his latest effort.

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