Tag Archives: Constitution

Christopher Columbus and James Madison Stood by Their Decisions

Posted on by October 13, 2011

October 12 is officially Columbus Day. I hope you enjoyed it, and maybe even thought a little bit about Christopher Columbus! Columbus was a gifted sailor, mapmaker, navigator, and astronomer. One of his foremost characteristics was being persistent. He was decided that he could find a way across the oceans to sail East by going West.

He devised a plan and prepared a presentation to obtain funding. He first presented this plan to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. It was rejected. With dogged determination he went to Portugal and laid out his plans to the King. It was rejected. He moved on to France and showed the possibilities to their Monarch. It was rejected. He traveled to England and made another attempt to convince someone to support his ideas. It was rejected. read more

James Madison’s Home – Montpelier

Posted on by September 26, 2010

James Madison’s home – Montpelier
What a wonderful sight to see the window to the study where the Father of the Constitution did his research. That research which eventually led to the drafting and signing of that marvelous document upon which the new nation, The United States of America was founded. You can see that window of the upstairs study, just over the front door to the mansion. Just watch this video.

Liberty or Not — That is the Question

Posted on by May 17, 2010

When any attention is paid to our nation’s founding documents, much attention is paid to the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, especially to the phrase “promote the general Welfare.” It seems to me that too little attention is paid to the words immediately following that phrase.  The words “and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” perhaps currently need much more attention by the citizenry and its representatives.

Are we trying at all to secure the “Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” when we go on unbridled spending sprees? Are we selling our Liberty for a mess of pottage? Are we purchasing our security for a loss of our Liberty, our Liberty and that of our children? read more

A Vow is Only as Good as an Oath

Posted on by April 30, 2010

Every public servant, such as a judge, Senator, or Congressman, makes a personal oath when entering into such a position. It is required by the Constitution.

The Presidential Oath is set forth in the Constitution as: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

When being sworn in as our first President, George Washington spontaneously added the words: “so help me God.”  This has becoome a traditional part of the Oath of office. read more

John Adams–What is Your Recipe for Preserving the Constitution?

Posted on by September 24, 2015

John Adams was the First Vice President of the New United States of America, serving under the Father of Our Country, George Washington. When Washington refused to serve a third term as President, John Adams was elected President. He served only one term.

In his Inaugural Address John Adams shared his vision for America as a “City on a Hill,” to be admired by every Nation of the Earth as a beacon for liberty and freedom. Adams advocated the support of “every rational effort to encourage schools, colleges, universities, academies, and every institution for propagating knowledge, virtue, and religion among all people. [It is] the only means of preserving our Constitition.” read more

Keep For Your Leaders Men of Virtue

Posted on by April 2, 2010

James Madison is often called “The Father of the Constitution.” He had some compelling things to say about those we choose as our leaders.

Here is one of my favorite quotes of his:

“The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of society; and . . . to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold their public trust.” read more