FIVE FOUNDING FATHERS SERIES. Dinesh d’Souza sure knows how to capture the essence of an argument. On nearly every podcast interview he does, he listens intently to his subject. Then he states their case so eloquently and concisely that it surprises them. Now he’s done the same for the careers of our foremost five Founding Fathers.
Within 5-6 minutes, Dinesh states the main idea each of those Founding Fathers contributed to the US. Here I will cover the first three: John Adams, Ben Franklin and Alexander Hamilton. Later I will cover what Dinesh says about Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
To John Adams, the pursuit of happiness meant the pursuit of virtue—to know and to do what’s right. “Without virtue, he believed America could not succeed,” says Dinesh. He quotes Adams: “the preservation of liberty depends on the intellectual and moral character of the people.” Only a moral people can vote in moral government leaders, and vote out corrupt ones.
For his own self-improvement, Adams would “imagine a noble character,” says Dinesh. And “then strive to become that character,” to walk, think, feel and act like that character. Adams practiced what he preached. As a devout Christian, this likely included the imitation of Christ. In this way, “he became the best version of himself.”
See below how to pray about this
Ben Franklin became even more of a self-made man, according to biographer Walter Isaacson. Isaacson called him not only “the most accomplished American of his age.” But also “the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become.”
At different times, Franklin was the US’ leading writer, publisher, scientist, inventor & diplomat. “Franklin viewed America itself as a great invention, a new kind of nation for a new kind of man.” He sought to reinvent himself by listing seven virtues and practicing each till he internalized it.
But he increasingly acknowledged dependence on God. When the Constitutional Convention came to an impasse, he called them to prayer with these words: “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men.” Thus Dinesh says Franklin “single-handedly saved the enterprise and revived the spirits of the delegates.”
Alexander Hamilton the first US treasurer, developed a wholly new concept of wealth creation. If Franklin became the pre-eminent self-made man, the US became the first wealth-created economy. Hamilton based its new capitalist system on innovation, invention, free enterprise and trade. And any citizen no matter of what origin could prosper in this system.
A free-enterprise nation for all
Unlike the Virginia farmers Washington, Madison and Jefferson, Hamilton became city-oriented. He “laid the groundwork for America to become a prosperous urban, industrial, commercial society.” But, Dinesh asks, how could the US get rid of slavery, and truly make the country free for all? “Make it easy as possible for as many people as possible to become as prosperous as possible.” This would happen through the myriad ways of commerce.” For slaves to engage in once they gained their freedom.
But how could government, instead of directing the economy, protect the enterprisers’ rights? “The elaborate system of rights and contracts on which capitalism is based requires a government to be the neutral arbiter of the disputes that inevitably arise.” Especially concerning patent protection for innovators and inventors.
So the Founders made the right to patent the only right in the original Constitution. Later came the Bill of Rights. Subsequently, Lincoln said this right to patent accelerated the economic development of the US. Within decades, Dinesh adds, the US became the world’s most prosperous nation.
In a future post, we will consider how Jefferson & Madison wrote our two founding documents.
PRAY WITH US about Five Founding Fathers Series:
Father God, we declare Jesus as the ultimate Desire of the nations. We thank You for the great opportunity Americans have had to start a new nation under You. Although many have not acknowledged You, we still have a majority that do. And for those of us who continue to acknowledge You in all our ways, You will make our paths straight.
So we thank You for giving rise to an exceptional set of Founding Fathers, most of whom did know You. And for guiding them in ways of limited government allowing unprecedented freedom to individuals. Help us to make the most of this freedom not for self or narcissism but for liberty and justice for all. For that will allow all to find true liberty in You, Your higher thoughts and Your higher ways for us. Lead us not into the broad ways of destruction that many are following. Instead lead those who know You into ever-increasing light so we may be light to other people and nations.
ETG articles related to Five Founding Fathers Series:
Authority Gets Legitimacy from Obedience to God
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Our Rights Follow Responsibilities—Or Else We Lose Them
Natural Law: the Essentials of National Constitutions
Political Ethics Code Plus Anti-corruption in Constitution?
Constitution Prayer Campaign—War for a Nation’s Future
A Constitutional Republic? Which Way Will Belize Go?
“Christian Nationalist” Label Unites Some, Divides Others
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fundamental freedoms, globalism, human rights, inalienable rights, lex rex, moral values, prayer campaign, rule of law, sovereignty, spiritual values, Founding Fathers, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison
