SPECIAL EPISODE (JULY 4): Deep Dive on the Declaration of Independence and its Relevance Today

For Independence Day, I take a deep dive into Declaration of Independence in terms of its unique place in history and the cause of freedom; the link between natural law and natural rights, faith and freedom; the Founding Fathers' emphasis on virtue and morality to sustain a free system of government; the criticality of the Declaration to understanding the Constitution, checks and balances, separation of powers, federalism and representative government; parallels between the charges laid out against King George III in the Declaration and today's federal Leviathan from the administrative state, to taxation without representation to sanctuary cities; the Founders' views on slavery, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass and failing to live up to the values and principles of the Declaration; the imperative to defend liberty against tyranny. Reference Materials Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence first draft slavery excerpt The Federalist Papers U.S. Constitution John Adams letter to Abigail Adams on celebrating Independence Day John Adams on rights and religion John Adams on slavery Calvin Coolidge 150th Anniversary of Independence Day Address Competitive Enterprise Institute's "Ten Thousand Commandments" (2018) Frederick Douglass on the Declaration and Constitution in opposition to slavery Frederick Douglass response to Dred Scott ruling Federal Government "Wastebook" (2017) Founding.com Benjamin Franklin on slavery Alexander Hamilton on rights and religion Alexander Hamilton on slavery Gary Lawson on the administrative state Abraham Lincoln on the Declaration and Constitution Abraham Lincoln on the Founders and slavery James Madison on slavery Nationwide injunctions Operation Drain the Swamp by Adam Andrzejewski Three Felonies a Day by Harvey Silverglate Alexis de Tocqueville on religion in America UN Arms Trade Treaty Vindicating the Founders George Washington on slavery The Rise and Fall of Constitutional Government in America by Thomas G. West and Douglas A. Jeffrey Woodrow Wilson's rejection of the Declaration preface Thanks for Listening! Check out other episodes, show notes and transcripts at benweingarten.com/bigideas. Subscribe, rate and review: iTunes | Stitcher | Google | YouTube Follow Ben: Web | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn Advertising & Sponsorship Inquiries: E-mail us. ___________ Backed Vibes (clean) Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/