America's leaders need to read early histories of the founding of America and of the seedbed of ideas from which its Constitutional government structure arose.
"Rise of the Republic of the United States" - Richard Frothingham.
"Ideas have consequences"(Weaver).
In 2016, we must remember that the ideas of 1776 came out of a set of ideas consistent with liberty.
We tend to forget, or have never considered, that other world views existed then, as now.
Unless today's citizens rediscover the ideas of liberty existing in what Jefferson called "the American mind" of 1776, we risk going back to the "Old World" ideas which preceded the "Miracle of America."
There are those who call themselves "progressives," when, in fact, their ideas are regressive and enslaving, and as old as the history of civilization.
Would suggest to any who wish an authentic history of the ideas underlying American's founding a visit to this web site, at which Richard Frothingham's outstanding 1872 "History of the Rise of the Republic of the United States" can be read on line.
This 600+-page history traces the ideas which gave birth to the American founding. Throughout, Richard Frothingham, the historian, develops the idea that it is "the Christian idea of man" which allowed the philosophy underlying the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to become a reality--an idea which recognizes the individual and the Source of his/her "Creator"-endowed life, liberty and law.
Is there any wonder that the enemies of freedom, the so-called "progressives," do not promote such authentic histories of America? Their philosophy puts something called "the state," or "global interests" as being superior to individuals and requires a political elitist group to decide what role individuals are to play.
In other words, they must turn the Founders' ideas upside-down in order to achieve a common mediocrity for individuals and power for themselves.
Thank you for the excellent comments...
I am always for freedom as freedom is necessary in order to grow spiritually. If you have surrendered your individual will to another person, a material thing, or to your government, you do not have power over your own will and therefor do not have the authority to surrender your will to God.
Thus, I would give my life without question in order to maintain the ability to surrender my individual will to God’s Will. The hard part on a day to day basis is to determine exactly what is God’s Will and what is a distraction pulling at my own free will.