Author Archive | Bill Federer

The Love of Power & the Love of Money… Two Passions… have a Powerful Influence in the Affairs of Men Franklin Ben Franklin gave an address at the Constitutional Convention, titled “Dangers of a Salaried Bureaucracy,” June 2, 1787: “Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence in the affairs of men… ambition and […]

“Society… must repose on principles that do not change”—wrote Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws, 1748, Book 24.  Montesquieu was a French political philosopher whose books were read by Catherine the Great of Russia, praised in England, and banned by Louis XV of France.  He greatly influenced America’s founders, with Thomas Jefferson even translating Destutt […]

Courageous women have always played a vital role in American history.  Addressing the Daughters of the American Revolution, April 19, 1926, President Calvin Coolidge stated:  “The importance of women in the working out the destiny of mankind…. As there were fathers in our Republic so there were mothers….  “By their abiding faith they inspired and […]

“Freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot” — Lord Denning  To understand the significance of the Magna Carta, one must know what preceded it.  England was invaded by “Dane” Vikings from Scandinavia in the 9th century.  They raided, pillaged, and plundered, destroying homes, churches, and libraries. They were unstoppable, defeating all […]

Douglas MacArthur told West Point cadets, May 1962: “The soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training-sacrifice. “In battle and in the face of danger and death, he discloses those Divine attributes which his Maker gave when He created man in His own image ….  “No physical courage […]

On March 15, 1984, the U.S. Senate voted down children praying in public schools.   President Ronald Reagan said: “I am deeply disappointed that, although a majority of the Senate voted for it, the school prayer amendment fell short.” On September 25, 1982, Reagan said: “Unfortunately, in the last two decades we’ve experienced an onslaught […]

“86 years have I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” — declared the aged Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John, as he stood in 155 AD before the Roman judge who ordered him to deny his faith or be killed. During […]

High winds and treacherous tides along North America’s coast blew the Pilgrims 500 miles off course, preventing them from joining Virginia’s settlement at Jamestown, founded 14 years earlier.  Having to disembark in Massachusetts, there was no government to submit to, so the Pilgrims created their own — the Mayflower Compact. It was the first constitution […]

“A people that legislate for themselves ought to be in the habit of protecting themselves” The sun never set on the British Empire. It was the largest empire in world history.Out of nearly 200 countries in the world, only 22 were never controlled, invaded or attacked by Britain.In April of 1775, the British Royal Military […]

President George Washington warned that members of political parties would sacrifice their country to advance their party.  He stated in his Farewell Address, September 19, 1796: “In contemplating the causes which may disturb our Union, it occurs as matter of serious concern, that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing Parties…. “One of the expedients […]

President William McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist in 1901.  The next President, Theodore Roosevelt wanted the government to track anarchist groups, as well as stop sex-trafficking.  This led to the creation of the Bureau of Investigation in 1908, though some Congressmen feared it might become politicized or evolve into a deep-state secret police.  Anarchists […]