The brilliance of our Founders

If there is any doubt why the American experiment was able to get off the ground, it was because of the phenomenal intelligence of our Founders. This is most strikingly shown in a letter written Oct. 12, 1755, by 19-year-old John Adams, who would become the nation's second president. In it, he predicted the downfall of Great Britain and the future superpower status of America, long before there was any thought of an independent American nation. His letter also demonstrates that the fortunes of world superpowers like the United States today, are indeed precarious. He points out that small, relatively minor events often prove in the long run to be the downfall of the superpower.

Could we be seeing that today? Could the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the wrongheaded approach taken by U.S. politicians in the aftermath, ultimately lead to the end of American supremacy? After all, we are pretty much hated by every nation on this planet because of our invasive foreign policy.

Here is an excerpt of Adams' letter as quoted by David McCullough in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, John Adams. This letter is certainly worth reading and remembering as we watch events unfold around us. And remember, Adams was only 19 when he wrote this letter:


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Ohio Supreme Court deals victory for property rights

Finally, some common sense concerning the power of eminent domain. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday in Norwood v. Horney that cities, at least in Ohio, do NOT have the power to seize private property for economic development. This ruling is counter to last year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Kelo v. City of New London that erroneously said local governments could do just that.

The power of eminent domain is, perhaps, the largest threat to a free society. When the First Congress passed the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, it specifically limited the power to public use and then only with just compensation. In Kelo, the U.S. Supreme Court tried to claim building a Wal-Mart is a public use simply because it would bring in more tax money than the current property owner. I would argue that eminent domain, in any instance, is wrong. However, if you are going to allow it for public use, then it must be restricted to such things as a new road, or perhaps a school.

Wednesday's decision by the Ohio Supreme Court should stand as an example to the other states that they possess the ultimate power to stop the federal government when it crosses its constitutionally set limits. Ohio's justices should be recognized for their clear-minded approach to interpreting the law.

Interesting Quote

"The media are far more powerful than the president in creating a public awareness and shaping public opinion, for the simple reason that the media always have the last word."

-- Richard M. Nixon,
37th U.S. president, 1978

Misguided debate on stem-cell research

President Bush's veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act on Wednesday was welcome, though not for the reasons Bush gave.

Stem-cell research is perhaps the most important scientific endeavor in human history. Still, no research, regardless of how important, should be funded by tax dollars. Only the private sector, unhindered by government interference and relying on the potential profit of research findings, can hope to make the best and fastest progress.

Unfortunately, in the United States, as Bush's comments after his veto indicate, the debate is on which stem-cell lines should be funded and the overall morality of such research than on the real question as to why the federal government is involved at all.

Though I disagree with the reasoning of his veto (and find it inconsistent with his other actions) I am glad more federal money won't be spent on research.

Teachers are NOT underpaid

Finally, some common sense when it comes to teachers’ salaries. I have listened for years as teachers and others made the ridiculous claim that teachers are underpaid.

Well, two facts deflate that argument.

First, whenever there is a teaching job opening there are plenty of applicants. That there is no teacher shortage is a good indication that salaries are attracting plenty of people to enter the teaching profession.

More telling, however, are the actual numbers.

Nationally, the average teacher’s salary in 2005 was $46,762. Even in the lowest-paid state, teachers in South Dakota averaged $33,236. When other benefits are considered, such as excellent retirement and health benefits, the salaries increase by 33 percent or more.

A study a few years ago showed teachers’ salaries to be higher than the average salaries of all workers, this even though teachers typically put in 50 fewer days a year at the job than other workers.

As in all professions, teachers should work hard to get as much remuneration for their services as the market warrants. However, let’s keep the debate honest. Teachers might not be overpaid, but they are certainly not underpaid.

Campioni!

5 to 3!

Congratulations to Italy, winner of the 2006 World Cup!

Happy Independence Day

A Fourth of July tribute for your viewing pleasure:


If it doesn't show up, click here.

Thanks for reading and may your Fourth be a safe one.

With injuries up, feds eye fireworks laws

The Associated Press reported another attack on our liberties in an article titled "With injuries up, feds eye fireworks laws."

Of course, every Fourth of July, safety groups urge the federal government to crack down on fireworks sales to consumers.

It is ironic that on the day we celebrate freedom, the government has laws restricting how we mark the anniversary of our independence.

I realize that fireworks are dangerous and people should take care in their use. However, as Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, an industry trade group, said, the largest safety problem is product misuse rather than product failures.

"It's teenagers having bottle rocket wars, parents giving sparklers to 2-year-olds and people having too much to drink and putting firecrackers up their nose," she said.

Many products, when misused, can be dangerous but that doesn't mean the government should crack down on those who use the products safely.

Top 5 Myths About the Fourth of July!

The following article originally appeared on George Mason University's History News Network in 2001. How many of you knew these myths?:


#1 Independence Was Declared on the Fourth of July.

America's independence was actually declared by the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. The night of the second the Pennsylvania Evening Post published the statement: "This day the Continental Congress declared the United Colonies Free and Independent States."

So what happened on the Glorious Fourth? The document justifying the act of Congress-you know it as Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence-was adopted on the fourth, as is indicated on the document itself, which is, one supposes, the cause for all the confusion. As one scholar has observed, what has happened is that the document announcing the event has overshadowed the event itself.

When did Americans first celebrate independence? Congress waited until July 8, when Philadelphia threw a big party, including a parade and the firing of guns. The army under George Washington, then camped near New York City, heard the new July 9 and celebrated then. Georgia got the word August 10. And when did the British in London finally get wind of the declaration? August 30.

John Adams, writing a letter home to his beloved wife Abigail the day after independence was declared (i.e. July 3), predicted that from then on "the Second of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival." A scholar coming across this document in the nineteenth century quietly "corrected" the document, Adams predicting the festival would take place not on the second but the fourth.



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