Opinion

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 ...

Editorial Cartoon

On Iran Trump gets a mulligan (a do over)

To borrow a golf term, President Donald Trump has finally agreed to take a "mulligan" per the war in Iran. Sadly, it was the most expensive mulligan in history, potentially amounting to half a trillion dollars, the deaths of 13 American service members, increased fuel costs, a major reduction in our military weaponry, and a near depletion of our Strategic Oil Reserve. In a friendly game of golf when you hit the ball in the woods you ask for a mulligan in most cases. As a professional golfer, when this happens, you are given a choice: You can ask for a "drop" which will cost you shots or ...

For Americans and Our Guests, the World Cup Runneth Over

Psalm 23:5, one of the best-known biblical passages, says, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup overflows." It would be hard to find a passage that better reflects this year's World Cup soccer (OK, OK -- "football") championship, which the U.S. is hosting for the first time since 1994. But not because the other nations participating in this year's World Cup are our "enemies." To the contrary, the reactions of the athletes and fans from other countries who have traveled to and through the U.S. to compete and to cheer ...

A Republic or an Empire?

The Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776, embraces two value sets. The first is natural rights, and the second is limited government. After 250 years, neither value has survived, and the opposite of each currently prevails in America. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration in three days while staying at a rooming house in Philadelphia. He had been greatly influenced by the British philosopher John Locke. Locke is the godfather of the theory of natural rights, which he extrapolated from the natural law teachings of Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas. Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) ...