Who Were the Founding Fathers?
President Warren G. Harding was actually the first to use the term “founding fathers,” in his 1916 keynote speech at the Republican Convention. The term was popularized when he used it again in his 1921 inaugural address. Although many men could qualify as founding fathers, historians generally agree that seven men were truly key figures.
- Benjamin Franklin is known as a Jack of all trades for his contributions to politics, science, and letters. Franklin earned the title of “first American” for his early and passionate campaign for American independence.
- George Washington led American troops to victory during the Revolutionary War and presided over the composition of the Constitution. Washington was unanimously nominated first president.
- John Adams participated in the writing of both the Declaration and the Constitution. He served as Washington’s vice president and the second president.
- Thomas Jefferson, primary author of the Declaration of Independence, defeated John Adams to become the third president. Jefferson is consistently ranked as one of the greatest U.S. presidents.
- John Jay presided over the first Continental Congress and later served as ambassador to France and Spain. Jay adamantly opposed slavery and paved the way to make New York the first state to outlaw slavery.
- James Madison, fourth president, is known as the “father of the Constitution.” Madison also drafted the Bill of Rights and supervised the Louisiana Purchase.
- Alexander Hamilton served as Washington’s most trusted aide-de-camp during the Revolutionary War. Hamilton later founded the Bank of New York and penned the still influential Federalist Papers.
The Founding Fathers and The Ten Commandments – Search (bing.com)
When you think of controversial authors, what names come to mind? Perhaps Karl Marx and Charles Darwin, or maybe George Orwell. Saul Alinsky, Ayn Rand and J.D. Salinger. But the original “kings of controversy” came much earlier. America’s founding fathers penned two of the most influential—and revolutionary—documents in history: the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
In his farewell address, George Washington warned against the dangers of political parties, fearing they would lead to division and undermine the nation’s unity. Today, the two-party system dominates American politics, with Democrats and Republicans locked in seemingly constant conflict. The polarization of American politics would likely dismay the Founding Fathers. They envisioned a system where elected officials would work together for the common good, not one where party loyalty overcomes national interest.
”America’s polarized politics often lead us to think of the nation in terms of red and blue, but the country’s voter pool is made up from many different ideological camps. Take our survey to find out which one best describes you.” fiction. economics and money guide most voting. sometimes a candidate’s personality may……………or it might not too. but in the end it often comes back to finances. get a clue wsj. money is it.
It’s not about politics any longer. The divide is between morality and immorality, and democrat voters have no morality. George Washington warned about this in his farewell address and was spot on.
Busting Myths You Probably Believe About the Foundation of America (msn.com)
America’s polarized politics often lead us to think of the nation in terms of red and blue, but the country’s voter pool is made up from many different ideological camps. Take our survey to find out which one best describes you. Outstanding vocal by Johnny Maestro topping his performance of Sixteen Candles when he was the lead singer of The Crests.
Google “I Side With”. – Google Search It is a FREE nonpartisan quiz that shows you not only which parties and ideologies you align to but what candidates as well! Imagine if the United States had a plural democratic political system where citizens could find political representatives that actually match their views; beyond the red, white and blue That would be cool.
You mistake the culture, norms and taboos of the biblical world for morality. In truth it was a terrible patriarchal society filled with stonings, slavery and cruelty. Ironically that’s the society Jesus tried to correct. But you won’t be feeding the hungry, clothing the naked or welcoming the stranger. You won’t be healing the sick. You won’t love your neighbor or practice acts of selfless kindness. You are here to cast stones.
That’s the only morality you know and it’s not morality at all. anyone who disagrees with me on anything is the devil incarnate
10 notable moments from the 2024 Democratic national convention (msn.com)
The DNC was a celebration of American values. Peggy Noonan is accusing Democrats of theft (msn.com)
Opinion: Trump’s spectacle is no match for Harris’s substance (msn.com)
The influence of money in politics, through lobbying and campaign contributions, would be particularly troubling to the founders. They feared the corrupting influence of factions and special interests, and today’s political landscape, where vast sums are spent on elections, would likely confirm their worst fears.
As we navigate the complexities of 21st-century America, a persistent question lingers in the minds of many: What would our Founding Fathers think of the nation they helped create? This isn’t just an academic exercise in historical speculation. It reflects our ongoing struggle to interpret and apply the principles laid out by those visionary leaders over two centuries ago.
From the halls of Congress to social media debates, Americans frequently invoke the Founding Fathers’ intentions to support their positions on contemporary issues. But how well do we truly understand their vision, and how relevant is it to our modern society? Here’s a journey through time, examining 14 key areas where today’s America might raise eyebrows among its founders.
The Evolution of Federal Power: A Double-Edged Sword
The Founding Fathers envisioned a limited central government, with power primarily resting in the hands of individual states. Today’s federal government, however, exerts influence over nearly every aspect of American life. From healthcare to education, the reach of Washington D.C. extends far beyond what the framers of the Constitution likely intended. This expansion of federal authority isn’t inherently harmful. It has allowed nationwide programs that provide essential services and protections to millions of Americans. Social Security, Medicare, and federal civil rights legislation are prime examples of how centralized power has addressed issues on a scale that individual states might struggle to match.
However, this growth has also led to concerns about overreach and the erosion of state sovereignty. The delicate balance between federal and state power remains contentious, with debates raging over healthcare mandates and environmental regulations. The founders would likely be alarmed by today’s federal government’s sheer size and scope. They might argue that such concentration of power is precisely what they sought to prevent with checks and balances and the division of powers.
War Powers: The Shift from Declaration to Action
One of the most significant departures from the Founding Fathers’ vision is how America engages in military conflicts. The Constitution explicitly grants Congress the power to declare war, a provision designed to prevent unilateral military action by the executive branch. In practice, however, the United States has engaged in numerous military operations without formal declarations of war. From Korea to Vietnam, Iraq to Syria, presidents have increasingly relied on broad interpretations of executive power to deploy troops and conduct military operations.
This shift has led to what some call the “imperial presidency,” where the executive branch wields far more war-making power than the Founding Fathers intended. The use of drone strikes, covert operations, and the concept of “police actions” have further blurred the lines between war and peace. Having fought against tyranny, the Founding Fathers would likely be deeply concerned by this concentration of military authority in the hands of a single individual, even an elected one.
The evolution of federal power in the United States is indeed a complex and multifaceted topic, often described as a double-edged sword. On one hand, the expansion of federal authority has enabled the implementation of nationwide policies that address critical issues such as civil rights, environmental protection, and economic stability. On the other hand, it has also led to concerns about overreach, states’ rights, and the balance of power between federal and state governments.
For example, federalism has played a significant role in shaping renewable energy policies. While federal initiatives can drive national progress, the interaction between federal and state policies, along with party polarization and the influence of the fossil fuel industry, can sometimes hinder effective policy-making1.
Would you like to dive deeper into a specific aspect of federal power, such as its impact on a particular policy area or historical period?
Learn more: 1hunter.cuny.edu 2hks.harvard.edu 3ieeexplore.ieee.org
4link.springer.com 5ieeexplore.ieee.org
Civil Liberties in the Age of Technology
The Bill of Rights, those first ten amendments to the Constitution, represent some of the most cherished protections of individual liberty in American history. But how do these 18th-century concepts apply in a world of smartphones, social media, and mass surveillance? Recent decades have seen heated debates over the balance between security and privacy. The Patriot Act passed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, granted unprecedented surveillance powers to government agencies. While supporters argue such measures are necessary for national security, critics contend they represent a dangerous erosion of civil liberties.
The Founding Fathers, who valued privacy and were wary of government overreach, would likely be alarmed by the extent of modern surveillance capabilities. They might question whether the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches and seizures are being upheld in an era of digital communication and data collection.
The Role of Money in Governance
Speaking of money, the outsized role of wealth in American politics and policymaking would likely shock the Founding Fathers. While many were wealthy, they advocated for a system where all citizens would have equal representation. Today’s reality, where lobbyists and special interest groups wield significant influence over legislation and where running for office often requires substantial personal wealth or the backing of wealthy donors, starkly contrasts this ideal.
The founders would be particularly alien to the concept of corporate personhood, which grants companies many of the same rights as individuals. They might question how the average citizen’s voice can be heard when corporations spend unlimited amounts on political speech.
Civic Engagement and the Informed Citizenry
The Founding Fathers emphasized the importance of an engaged and informed citizenry. They believed that for democracy to function, citizens needed to participate actively in the political process and be well-versed in the day’s issues. In some ways, modern America has realized this vision. The internet has made information more accessible, and social media allows unprecedented political engagement. However, the quality of this engagement is often questionable.
The spread of misinformation, social media’s echo chamber effect, and declining trust in institutions would likely trouble the founders. They might argue that true democracy requires not just participation but informed thoughtful participation.
The Technological Revolution
The Internet is the Ruination of Creation Many people share concerns about how the internet affects creativity, culture, and society. For instance, some argue the internet can lead to information overload, reduce attention spans, and undermine traditional institutions of knowledge1.
On the other hand, the internet has also enabled unprecedented access to information, global communication, and new forms of creativity and collaboration2. It’s a complex topic with many perspectives. What specific aspects of the internet’s impact are you most concerned about?
It’s impossible to overstate how different the world of the Founding Fathers was from our own. The rapid pace of technological advancement, particularly in communications and information sharing, would astonish them.
While they would likely marvel at the possibilities technology has opened up, they might also be concerned about its impact on society and governance. The speed at which information (and misinformation) can spread, the power of tech companies, and the potential for technology to be used for surveillance and control all raise significant questions.
The Expansion of Voting Rights
One area where modern America has undoubtedly progressed beyond the Founding Fathers’ vision is the expansion of voting rights. The founders initially limited voting to property-owning white males. Today, universal suffrage (with some exceptions, such as for felons in some states) is a cornerstone of American democracy.
While this expansion aligns with the democratic principles the founders espoused, it goes far beyond what most of them envisioned. They might be surprised to see women, minorities, and those without property not only voting but holding high office.
The Second Amendment Debate
Few issues in modern America are as contentious as the debate over gun rights. The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms and has been the subject of countless legal battles and political debates.
The Founding Fathers lived at a time when muskets were the height of firearm technology. They might have been astounded by the power and accessibility of modern weapons. The ongoing debate over balancing the right to bear arms with public safety concerns would likely interest them greatly, as they, too, grappled with questions of individual liberty versus the common good.
The Separation of Church and State
The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion, has been interpreted in ways that might surprise the Founding Fathers. While many were religious men, they sought to create a nation where religious freedom was protected and no single faith dominated governance.
Today’s debates over prayer in schools, religious symbols on public property, and faith-based exemptions to laws would likely fascinate the founders. They might be pleased to see the diversity of faiths practiced freely in America. Still, they could also be surprised by how much religion and politics remain intertwined in many areas.
The Size and Scope of the Military
The Founding Fathers were generally wary of large standing armies, seeing them as potential tools of oppression. With its global reach and massive budget, today’s U.S. military would likely alarm them.
While they recognized the need for national defense, the concept of America as a global superpower with military bases worldwide would be far removed from their vision. They might question whether such a large military is necessary for defense or if it encourages interventionism and overreach.
The Power of the Presidency
With its vast executive powers, the modern presidency would likely surprise and possibly concern the Founding Fathers. They designed a system with a relatively weak executive, intending Congress to be the primary policy driver.
Today’s presidents wield significant power through executive orders, control over foreign policy, and their role as party leaders. The concept of the president as the “leader of the free world” would be alien to the founders, who saw the office primarily as an administrator and executor of Congress’s will.
The National Debt
The Founding Fathers, notably Alexander Hamilton, understood the importance of national credit. However, the scale of today’s national debt would likely alarm them. They believed in fiscal responsibility and would likely question the wisdom of running such large deficits.
The complexity of modern economic policy, with concepts like quantitative easing and contemporary monetary theory, would be far removed from their experiences. They might struggle to reconcile their belief in limited government with the federal government’s role in managing the economy.
Debt can have a significant impact on the economy in several ways:
- Interest Payments: High levels of debt mean the government has to spend more on interest payments, which can reduce the funds available for other important areas like education, healthcare, and infrastructure1.
- Crowding Out: When the government borrows heavily, it can lead to higher interest rates. This can make it more expensive for businesses and individuals to borrow money, potentially slowing down economic growth1.
- Inflation: Excessive debt can lead to higher inflation if the government decides to print more money to pay off its debt. This reduces the purchasing power of consumers2.
- Economic Stability: High debt levels can make an economy more vulnerable to financial crises. If investors lose confidence in a government’s ability to repay its debt, it can lead to a sudden stop in capital inflows, causing economic instability3.
- Consumer Spending: On a personal level, high consumer debt can lead to reduced spending. Since consumer spending accounts for a large portion of GDP, this can slow down economic growth4.
Would you like to know more about any specific aspect of how debt affects the economy?
The Role of the Supreme Court
Here are the ages of the current U.S. Supreme Court justices:
- John Roberts: 69 years old – Search Videos (bing.com)
- Clarence Thomas: 75 years old – Search Videos (bing.com)
- Samuel Alito: 73 years old – Search Videos (bing.com)
- Sonia Sotomayor: 69 years old – Search Videos (bing.com)
- Elena Kagan: 63 years old – Search Videos (bing.com)
- Neil Gorsuch: 56 years old – Search Videos (bing.com)
- Brett Kavanaugh: 58 years old – Search Videos (bing.com)
- Amy Coney Barrett: 52 years old – Search Videos (bing.com)
- Ketanji Brown Jackson: 53 years old – Search Videos (bing.com)
41 A.I. Generated Photos That Show What the Founding Fathers Actually Looked Like (msn.com)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
While the Founding Fathers established the Supreme Court, its current role as the final arbiter of constitutional questions would likely surprise them. The concept of judicial review, based on Marbury v. Madison in 1803, has given the Court far more power than initially envisioned.
Today’s heated debates over Supreme Court nominations and the Court’s role in shaping social policy would be unfamiliar to the founders. They might question whether such power should rest with unelected judges serving lifetime appointments.
Reflecting on these 14 areas where modern America diverges from the Founding Fathers’ vision, it’s important to remember that they were not a monolithic group. They debated fiercely about the best way to structure the new nation, and their views often evolved.
Moreover, they were men of their time, with blindspots and prejudices we now recognize as deeply problematic. Expanding rights and opportunities to all Americans, regardless of race, gender, or economic status, represents fulfilling their highest ideals, even if it goes beyond what they envisioned.
Why does the electoral college exist as you can clearly see by this map.
As you can clearly see by this map, Americans tend to favor the coastal states, considering the red areas represent a greater population than that of the gray area. With a vast majority of “red” being in southern California, it seems as though people flock to the west coast for the lifestyle: the promise of year-round summer.
Then, some favor the eastern seaboard, enjoying the lifestyles of New Englanders and the tri-state area. What we can conclude from the map is that the colder and more rural states aren’t on the “move-to” list for many of the 328.2 million Americans.
The greatest testament to the Founding Fathers’ wisdom is that they created a flexible system to adapt to changes they could never have imagined. The Constitution they crafted has endured for over two centuries, providing a framework for governance that has allowed America to grow, change, and continually strive to live up to its founding ideals.
As we grapple with the challenges of the 21st century, from climate change to artificial intelligence, from economic inequality to global pandemics, we must remember that the principles enshrined in our Constitution apply to all people, not just a select few.
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s was a powerful reminder of this fact. It reminded us that true freedom and equality can only be achieved when everyone is granted equal rights and opportunities, regardless of race, gender, or economic status.
The 78-year-old Trump commanded the ages 18-34 respondents (53%-38%). Harris’ biggest edge was 65-and-up (51%-41%). Harris, 59, had modest leads for ages 35-49 (48%-43%) and ages 50-64 (46%-44%).
On the issues, there were no surprises. Harris had leads for protecting democracy (83%-11%), abortion laws (75%-20%) and protecting Social Security and Medicare (64%-27%). Trump had leads for managing immigration (78%-16%), protecting the U.S. from foreign threats (71%-24%), job creation (57%-30%) and improving economic conditions (56%-33%).
Poll: Stein up 14 points, Harris and Trump dead heat (msn.com)
Viewership of Night 4 DNC – Search (bing.com)
24.6 million viewers Night 4 of the 2020 DNC drew its highest viewership yet with 24.6 million viewers — up 24.6% from Night 1 — as did the 2016 DNC, whose fourth and final evening drew 29.8 million viewers — up 14.8% from Night 1.
Viewership of Night 4 RNC – Search (bing.com)
35.38 million viewers
An estimated 35.38 million viewers watched the fourth and final night of the 2024 Republican National Convention on Thursday, July 18, according to Nielsen.
Watch The Chicks perform the national anthem at the 2024 Democratic National Convention (msn.com)
Trump vs. Harris: Here’s Who Americans Think Would Better Handle Skyrocketing Inflation (msn.com)
Why this former Republican presidential candidate is at the Democrats’ 2024 convention (msn.com)
Harris and Walz enjoyed a successful convention, but it didn’t achieve a critical goal (msn.com)
Democrats Are Better For the Economy & Here’s Bill Clinton With the Proof | Watch (msn.com)
Amy Coney Barrett Breaks With Supreme Court Over Granting Republicans’ Wish (msn.com)
Opinion: We’re living under a flawed Constitution. Let’s start fresh and rewrite it (msn.com)
Trump Favorability Below Democratic Rival for First Time in 13 Months: Poll (msn.com)
A first-of-its-kind event! MSNBC announces MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024 | Watch
Kamala Harris says she will aim to pass middle class tax cut as president (msn.com)
Kamala’s superficial speech shows she’s not yet ready for the presidency (msn.com)
How Lara Trump and the GOP are preparing for war with Kamala Harris (msn.com)
Kamala Harris Not Leading a Single Battleground State in New Poll (msn.com)
How Kamala Harris’ 2024 Polling Compares to Joe Biden’s in 2020 (msn.com)
Democrats once strove to ‘go high’ against Trump. Not anymore. (msn.com)
Read: Republican Adam Kinzinger’s Full DNC Speech Transcript (msn.com)
The Chicks Deliver the National Anthem at Final Night of DNC (msn.com)
Fed’s Powell says ‘time has come’ to cut interest rates (msn.com)
Harris, Heinrich hold wide leads in New Mexico: Poll (msn.com)
Key Moments of Kamala Harris’ DNC Speech (msn.com)
Why the DNC Featured So Many Republicans (msn.com)
Earth’s Evolution in 10 Minutes | Watch (msn.com)
Today, we continue to strive towards realizing this ideal.
We have progressed in many areas, from marriage equality to voting rights for marginalized communities. But there is still much work to be done. We must continue to push for policies and legislation that promote equality and fairness for all Americans.
AG Kamala Harris Inauguration (VIDEO 1 of 3) – Search (bing.com)
AG Kamala Harris Inauguration (VIDEO 2 of 3) – Search (bing.com)
AG Kamala Harris Inauguration (VIDEO 3 of 3) – Search (bing.com)
IMAGINE. (Ultimate Mix, 2020) – John Lennon
