Opinion

Let's live up to what the Founding Fathers wanted

As our country celebrates not just any Independence Day, but the 250th anniversary of one of the boldest declarations in human history, the festivities give us an excellent opportunity to look back on two-and-a-half centuries of this American experiment and check ourselves against what the founders hoped they were setting in motion. Draped in red, white and blue and surrounded by flags and fireworks, it is easy to forget how we got here and why we are free to celebrate as flamboyantly as we’d like. Richard Henry Lee made the motion to declare independence in June 1776, but ...

Time to be patriotic

We're very near the end of June, and, since 4:24 a.m. on June 21, we have been able to officially say we are in the summer season. That means July 4 is right around the corner. This year's celebration will take on extra meaning — we will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the country's founding. Patriotism will be on full display during the next week or so, and we will be seeing more and more red, white and blue; more flags will be flown; and more fireworks will be exploding in our neighborhoods. And why not? Milestones like the semiquincentennial don't come around that ...

World Cup Visitors Get It; The Pope and Socialists Don't

Several things have taken place over the past week that shore up the importance of understanding what has truly made the United States of America the most prosperous country in human history. First, we have the foreigners visiting the U.S. to cheer on their teams in this year's World Cup soccer championship. As I wrote last week, it's been heartwarming to see how much these people love America, and how surprised they've been to find that Americans are warm, welcoming, generous and kind people. Another aspect of America that has astonished our guests is the number, size and variety of ...

The Background That Made the Revolution Possible

The Background That Made the Revolution Possible As we inch toward the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, let me share a couple of reflections on the background of how this extraordinary, unprecedented and daring event succeeded. Two decades ago, I set out to write a book about the events known as the Glorious Revolution of 1688-89. I suspected that this revolution -- the ouster of the Catholic King James II of England and the installation of his Protestant son-in-law (and nephew) William III and daughter Mary I -- was helpful, perhaps a necessary ...

War and Constitutional Indifference

Since its inception, the government of the United States has inexorably exceeded its powers under the Constitution. All three branches have been complicit in a consistent pattern of constitutional indifference. Congress has regulated in areas of governance nowhere articulated in the Constitution. Its general regulatory powers were granted to address interstate commerce, but during the FDR years, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress can regulate events that affect interstate commerce. This has resulted in federal regulation of matters too infinitesimal to measure, that are not ...

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