James Madison and Limited Government
Famed Roman orator, the silver-tongued Cicero, once noted, "It is valuable to look to the words of our Founders, but it is more valuable to study the principles that inspired their words." In the present climate, winds are whipping in from the plains of plutocracy and eroding at an extraordinary pace the bedrock foundations of limited government upon which our Republic was founded. As Cicero witnessed the gradual replacement of his own Republic with an empire ruled by one autocrat after another distracting the masses with mere gimcracks of popular government, he turned to the words of his noble forbearers. We would do wisely to follow his example.
Another Freedom Lost- Recess Time Is Gone
Before you think that I am attempting satire or humor, this is a serious attempt to make the reader understand how far the government schools have gone to prepare today's students to accept total government control. In mid-April, an e-mail from the principal issued the directive that no longer could my classroom have its customary recess but that time was to become a time for physical activity that included stations with directed activities with students rotating in 5 minute increments from station to station. No unstructured time was any longer permitted and all students were to be engaged in an activity at all times. The principal warned that she and the vice principal would be monitoring this time very closely and would be walking into the gym (where we had recess) during our new physical activity period to be sure we were adhering to this directive. A five day plan of the four stations was to be on the principal's desk at the end of that school day.
America's Debt to the 56 Brave Signers of the Declaration
Beginning with the stands by local militia at Lexington Green and Concord Bridge, many thousands of courageous men risked everything they had in 1775 and early 1776 against the British Army. It was at that time the most powerful military force on earth. They committed a crime worthy of imprisonment or death in the eyes of the ruling authority. In the early summer of 1776, a group of 64 men went much further than that. They were chosen in their respective colonies by state legislatures, and then willingly accepted leadership positions. They carried with them the authority to attend the First Continental Congress at Liberty Hall in Philadelphia. In that day, leading or organizing a rebellion of any kind against the crown was considered an even more grave act than just participation in a rebellion. At the close of that gathering in Philadelphia, an even smaller group of men stepped into history as they each signed a document proclaiming independence for the colonies. 56 of those delegates boldly penned their names below a Declaration that would certainly serve as their own death warrant should their cause be lost.
Cannons and Cooking Pots
Statistically, 100 percent of people in this world have had a mother. Men such as George Washington, Samuel Adams, and Thomas Jefferson all had motherly influences present in their lives that undoubtedly assisted them in becoming the great men they were. In addition to the constructive influence mothers share, they also contribute to society as a whole through childrearing.
Sadly, the domestic role of a woman has at times been severely under-appreciated. So it was in eighteenth-century America. Women were collectively considered unfit to voice their opinions on political issues, and it was common belief that a woman’s only duty was to be silently subservient to her husband. Even though late 18th century women were not highly regarded, their participation in the Revolutionary War resulted in America being able to completely break away from England.
Celebrate America's Independence
56 Signers - The Declaration of Independence - 8 min. from AlanScholl on Vimeo.
A crucial moment in American history... 64 men met to discuss the options. They decided to issue their intent to break away from the greatest power on earth, with the largest military - England - to become a new, independent nation. They knew if they failed, it would become their own death warrant.
This document declaring boldly their intent, citing the rights that had been endowed to them by their Creator, and with the signatures of 56 brave men affixed was sent out to the world. After years of deadly war, suffering, and peril, the new nation was born in liberty and prosperity.
This is a tribute to those often-forgotten men - the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America who risked all so that we may be free.
About the Freedom Project
Heritage
"The supposed quietude of a good mans allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms like laws discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside...Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived of the use of them..."-- Thomas Paine.