Founding Fathers
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense: A Timeless Call for Liberty vs Unlimited Power
Government … even in its best state … is still evil. Thomas Paine didnโt pull any punches in Common Sense. First published on January 10, 1776, it remains one of the most important pamphlets in American history. Far more than a rousing call for...
George Washington’s First “State of the Union,” Building a Foundation for the Young Republic
On January 8, 1790, President George Washington walked into the Senate chamber of Federal Hall in New York City to deliver his first Annual Message to Congress – what we would now call the first State of the Union Address. His remarks were concise, rooted in the...
Poor Richardโs Almanac: Benjamin Franklin’s Timeless Guide to Life, Liberty, and Frugality
On Dec. 28, 1732, at just 27 years of age, Benjamin Franklin published the first edition of Poor Richardโs Almanac. He went on to publish it annually for 25 years, and it garnered him wealth and fame. It also played a big part in elevating him to the status of โthe...
Duty Bound: James Madison’s Six Principles to Stop Federal Tyranny
The states are โduty bound to interpose.โ Thatโs how James Madison put it in his Virginia Resolutions, passed on Dec 21 and 24, 1798, in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts. His resolutions answer a timeless question: What should be done when the federal...