the great principles on which the Republic was founded have been ...
595735
More than two hundred years have passed since the American Founding Fathers revolted from the British Empire, published the Declaration of Independence to a candid world, and established the United States of America, first constituted under the Articles of Confederation and then under our present Federal Constitution. The principles on which they established the Federal Republic gave rise to a mighty civilization unparalleled in the history of the world, both in terms of personal liberty and material abundance. Through the triumphs and tragedies of the past two centuries, however, the great principles on which the Republic was founded have been undermined by the alarming growth of a Leviathan State in our midst. Today, as a consequence of the growth of Big Government, the American people find themselves confronted with the disturbing realization that their rights are being buried under the piling sands of despotism and that the great American Dream is rapidly becoming only a distant memory.

Convinced that the distresses faced by the Republic are caused by a subversion of the principles on which it was founded, the author has endeavored to present and define those noble principles and to challenge the American people to restore constitutionally limited government to the United States. Within these pages can be found the story of the founding of American civilization, the early rejection of socialism by the Pilgrims, the true causes of the American Revolution, and a detailed analysis of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Especially significant is the detailed presentation given to the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, as the author presents and analyzes the great struggle that occurred behind the closed doors of the Convention between the advocates of nationalism and federalism, a battle in which the champions of a Federal Republic emerged triumphant.

Scholarly and thorough in his research, bold and original in his approach, and lucid and persuasive in his analysis of the great issues of the Constitutional Period, the authors presentation of the origin of the United States stands as one of the most penetrating arguments ever written on behalf of the sovereignty of the States and our federal system of government. Within these well-documented pages lives again the spirit of Thomas Jefferson and John Taylor of Caroline, as the author argues persuasively on the need for a proper division and limitation of political powers and for a carefully maintained balance between power and liberty. Those who adore power and who worship Big Government will not find much comfort within these pages. But to those who champion the rights of man, States Rights, and constitutionally limited government, this book will serve as a scholarly resource and inspiration.
2945850
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," first published in 1776, is one of the essential classics of United States literature. In the book, Paine lays the philosophical groundwork for American independence.
Paine's writing style is still compelling after more than two centuries: he is fiery but logical, and bitingly witty. The book is full of great quotable passages.
In the book Paine sharply criticizes the institution of monarchy, especially the hereditary kind. He argues in favor of American independence from England, and proposes some principles for the government of such an independent state. He advocates "the free exercise of religion" and discusses in some detail issues of national defense.
It is remarkable how relevant Paine's comments remain, and how engaging his writing style is. His remarkable personality animates every page. The spirit of Thomas Paine is, in my opinion, at the core of what is best about the United States, and this book is part of the heritage of every U.S. citizen.
4897308
When I read these words, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As subjects of this mandate, not as black, white, brown or red, not as colors yet as ordinary people. We have trusted authorities as we toiled and built our wonderful country to do the labor of law; somewhere in that endeavor the truth has been mislaid and greed had it's say, now what a mess we have allowed to be made. Daily I listen to the eloquent words of Dr. King from eight inspiring cd's that if you listen with ears and a heart of forgiveness and a true desire to understand , and become a part of the solution, there is a lesson to be learned.
2301326
This book is an important, extremely well researched, carefully documented, artfully argued work organized to convince a thoughtful reader what is required to restore our Declaration of Independence to its foundational position and original function as the defining document establishing the principles of our independence and to reestablish the Founders contract for a government with all the safeguards the People defined in 1776 and placed in a new Constitution in 1787, now compromised. Sandefur provides the history and identifies the corruptions for the reader, what must be recovered (the Constitutions original purpose, political philosophy and protection of individual rights and personal liberties of its sovereign People) from government usurpation of power and antiquitys historical tyrannies of majority rule. As a Sovereign People our Founders gave only carefully limited and specific authority to their new government and a commitment to work honorably in the Peoples behalf. Our 238 year history was tainted by corruptions during the last hundred yearsa thousand razor cuts by the Progressive Movement and men who had sworn to protect and preserve the Constitution, but, who intentionally did not. A very good read and thorough explanation of how we got where we are today.  Neill Binford
3750164
Do you believe that faith and religion played an essential part in the formation of our nation and are a vital element to the sustaining of our liberty?  Alexis de Tocqueville thought so as he wrote Democracy in America in the mid 1800s and Os Guinness makes a compelling argument to support this in The Great Experiment.  This outstanding book is part of the Trinity Forum Study Series - which are all outstanding resources produced by the Trinity Forum.

Guinness does a remarkable job of making the study of government interesting and informative.  This book is a must for every Christian who desires to be a good citizen in America - to understand that the involvement of those with religious ideas and convictions in the public policy arena is absolutely essential for the health and vitality of our nation.  Guinness claims that the Founding Fathers understood this "eternal triangle of first principles" - that "Liberty requires virtue, virtue requires religion, and religion requires liberty, which in turn requires virtue."

The book does a great job of comparing and contrasting the American Revolution to the beginnings of other great nations - the winning, ordering and sustaining of liberty which our Founding Fathers took such great care to avoid so many of the mistakes of history.  Excellent excerpts are included from a variety of authors to support Guinness' argument that religion is absolutely imperative to the well being of our nation.

The Great Experiment is published by NavPress as part of their Bringing Truth to Life series.  This is a great resource for a high school or college aged student, especially those students interested in law and government.  It is an easier read than many of the authors Guinness quotes from, so from that perspective this is like getting parts of some of the great works on government without having to read thirty different books!  I've found this book in numerous places - online and in various bookstores for anywhere from $10 - $20.
4644930
The John Adams series is the best thing I've seen produced in a long while! Too bad we no longer have men and women of character, integrity, and faith leading our country today. Our founders were not perfect, but they strove to honor the laws of God when creating a document/government that would give the people of the United States the inherit freedom that is their birthright. They knew that when the people took that freedom for granted...the republic would collapse under the weight of corruption and falsehood, led by a morally bankrupt compass, like sheep to the slaughter.
88478
Evangelical pastor and attorney, Jeffrey Daly, in "The Spiritual Battle for the White House" provides an excellent reference for the Christian roots of our Republic, citing our Founding Father's belief that Divine Providence had created the United States of America. Daly comingles scriptural passages with quotes on the divine from spiritual patriots such as George Washington, Ben Franklin, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Adams, James Madison, and George Mason.

After following this Christian thread for two hundred years, Daly turns his attention to the serious threat secularism imposes on our Republic today. "Prosperity, for all its blessings, costs society dearly when prosperity increasingly pulls people towards the things of the world, towards things of the flesh, towards the pride of life, divorcing them from dependence on God." Progressivism and its belief that the Lord is irrelevant is a cancer that is killing the Republic. The federal government now knows what is better than the "plain folk" for whom the constitution was written.

Secularism is a religion of doctrines and practices that rejects any form of faith and worship. "Instead of worshipping the Lord, the Creator of Life itself, a person caught up by this Secular Spirit focuses on self, the materialistic life of things, of status." The Republic is now made up of two camps - those following the Lord, and those following themselves.

Daly shows that God is author of Liberty, and it is NOT a license. He goes on to show the connection of Liberty to obedience to God, and how Liberty cannot exist without virtue. Instead we are getting legislation providing a "raw license for any unGodly  behavior any group claims a right to indulge in."

The task ahead for all Christians is to discern the spirits and take down the strongholds that are anti-Liberty and facilitate evil. We must guard against those with anti-Liberty sentiments that seek to control our Congress and White House with prayer, fasting, and our vote.
2218430
America: Land of Principles and Promises beautifully captures the birth and adolescence of a new nation, and Sandi Reid is to be commended for her presentation of historical events surrounding the Founders of our country. The use of illustrated prints, quotes, maps, and journal entries often creates a novel-like quality to the textbook, tricking the reader into a feeling of "being there". From the discovery of a new world to the conflict brought on by Civil War, we come to better understand the sacrifice and steadfastness upon which our country was built. Excellent scope and sequence, thoughtful reflective questioning, and a document-filled appendix provide educators and students with a resource that strongly clarifies the reasons behind the path of our country and the Founders who paved our way.
787939
Inspiring. It gives me hope for America. I love the constitutional principles on which this country was based and have been deeply concerned watching government seek to encroach upon them and the majority of people, both conservatives and liberals, seeking to force their way of living on others instead of standing for liberty. This gives me something positive I can do to help change this. I wish everyone would join in calling for the forces of light, love and liberty to sweep again through the hearts of the American people.
2725171
Reisman succinctly lays forward his philosophy on freedom, establishing political and economic freedom as one in the same, and making the case for lasseiz-faire economics from the perspective of its relative nature to individual freedom. The government's only legitimate function is to defend individual and property rights from the initiation of force by other individuals. Any laws enforced beyond this function inherently make the government the initiator of force, not the defender of freedom.

Great read.
1330142
While not finished with the book, it is an excellent review and detail of where we come from and the energy our Founding Fathers put into our Constitution. Their foresight was unbelievable in setting up this very important document. The book gives many details and discriptions which are great refreshers of how our country grew and the life principles on which we need to stand. A great review for all ages.
3574898
I wish this book could be a textbook in every classroom in our nation's schools. The book describes the fundamental basis of what made us great as a nation and why our decline is inevitable if we continue to steer from our founding principals. The author is from Hillsdale College which produce a great newsletter called Imprimis. The college is very conservative and true to what they believe. The author is not throwing around academic theory or ideology, but true principals that he lives by. A great book for every citizens--even for your young adult children.
1489741
Returning to the founding principles of the Constitution is the path that must be followed and Levin lays out a plan for doing just that.
4015504
This book provides a clear plan to restore our magnificent constitutional republic using the Constitution itself to accomplish it.

Brilliant!
3246259
Montesquieu is best known as a source fof the separation of powers doctrine in the American Constitution. But there is much more in this book, including a strong argument for federalism as a system that combines security from foreign invasion with the benefits of small government. Running throughout is the concern with republican virtue as the purpose of the state and a deep discussion of the role of reason in moderate governance. He defends an Aristotelian conception of limited reason that questions yet allocates significant roles to both religion and local customs.
53748
We should remind ourselves frequently of the principles that the United States was built upon. We're still embroiled in the same battles of freedoms, rights, and who "deserves" to have and exercise those rights and freedoms. I believe that Lincoln's words still ring true and cut to the core of our (sadly) still existing struggles with a concept that should be such common sense. The answer to who deserves the rights of Freedom and to be treated Equally is: Everyone
1062424
This book has been the foundation of my teaching regarding the Constitution.