Washington and Electioneering

Are the talk shows, news shows, and talking heads getting you down?
Well, we have to put up with it because it’s the manner we have chosen to get acquainted with the candidates. I admit it seems like a high price to pay. But think about the price we pay if the wrong candidate is chosen!

JamesMadisonGeorge Washington was against political parties, Thomas Jefferson was against electioneering, and James Madison had to fight hard to figure out a method to elect a President that would appeal to the 55 men who were in the Constitutional Convention. Now, we can hardly understand how the Electoral College even works. read more

Benjamin Franklin and John Adams

Franklin_in_his_fur_capWhen Ben and John were sent by Congress to try to talk reason with the British generals at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, travel wasn’t like it is today. No interstate highways, no automobiles, no large hotels to spend the night in. John and Ben had to spend the night at an inn with only one room and with one bed available.

So Ben taught John about air circulation and leaving the windows open. And a little about his penchant for “air baths”. That’s one reason Thomas Jefferson gave for not wanting to even travel with Benjamin Franklin. read more

The Founding Fathers as Leaders

Founding Fathers coverI believe that the Founding Fathers were all EXCEPTIONAL leaders. They were all at the right place at the right time in history. It’s pretty amazing if you think about it. How often can you get 55-56 well educated and experienced men in one room and have them agree on anything, let alone how to build a new nation?

I don’t believe it could ever be done again. It certainly hasn’t been done since 1989! Here’s Peanuts take on this:

Lucy and Charlie Brown are discussing things. Lucy says to Charlie: “There are leaders in this world, Charlie Brown, and there are followers . . .” read more

John and Abigail Adams–A Love Story

Abigail_AdamsOne of my favorite historical novels was about John and Abigail Adams. The book was titled “A Love Story,” by Irving Stone. Most know of their marriage and how Abigail kept the home going while John was off being an attorney, a diplomat and a Founding Father.

When John began courting Abigail, her mother was totally against it. She said that Abigail would be marrying below herself as she was so extraordinary. When education of women wasn’t all that important, Abigail was able to get a good education from her family, from her love of reading and learning, and from the great library they had at home. read more

George Washington in Office

Usually I really appreciate Bill O’Reilly’s TV production of “Patriots: Legends and Lies.” They are well presented, although I am not a true fan of the stars playing the parts represented, and how my heroes are sometimes portrayed. But then I’m not a movie producer.

GeorgeWashingtonTonight I was a little disappointed. Not so much at what was in the story, but at what was left out. For example when George Washington was finally sworn in at Federal Hall in New York City as the new President of the United States of America. The oath of office was administered with the words required. read more

George Washington on Government

Here are a few random thoughts about Government leaders.

Landsdowne paintingThe Constitution is the supreme law of the land. We should make ourselves friends of the Constitution. Anything less than this is sure to be “evil, wicked, mean, bad and nasty,” as my wife used to say about things she didn’t agree with me about.

Honest and wise men and women should be sought for as government leaders. They should be voted for and upheld. Honesty in government being a supreme requirement. You have to be honest with those you represent. read more

A Republic or a Monarchy?

I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
And to the Republic for which it stands,
One nation, Under God, indivisible,
With liberty and justice for ALL.

Founding Fathers coverRepublic—a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them.

Democracy—government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. read more

Vote for George Washington!

thomas paineIn the upcoming Presidential election it would seem to be very important to consider what our first President of the United States said about one thing to look for:

“In every nomination, I have endeavored to make fitness of character my primary object.” And “I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man!”–George Washington

James Madison, the Father of the Constitution said this: “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” read more

Patrick Henry and Root Beer

Yesterday on this Blog, I told a little about how both Benjamin Franklin and his compatriot, Thomas Jefferson, were both very intellectual men and both of them were involved in new inventions. I hope you enjoyed learning about that.

PatrickHenryOne of my other heroes, and Founding Fathers, Patrick Henry, was also an inventor of sorts. Patrick served for a while in his youth as a “bartender” at his father’s General Mercantile Store and Country Inn. He didn’t like it much. He saw first hand how much damage liquor did to the common man. Some people he served lost their money, their families, their wives, their homes, and even their lives to that vile habit—drinking. read more

Journey with the Founding Fathers

ThomasJeffersonWhat a wonderful experience it was today to be introduced to a distant member of the family, by marriage, to a young lady who is an elementary school teacher. And just by chance, she teaches American History!

As I presented her with a copy of my book, she asked me how I came to write it. I got to tell her my story. What fun for me!

After I had graduated from law school, I was invited personally by the mayor of the City of Phoenix to become a member of the Phoenix Citizen’s Crime Commission. There used to be a chapter of such a commission in every major city in the United States—but that’s another story. read more