Common Sense Political Ideas
It had been an extraordinary time for Madison. Starting with the proposal of the Philadelphia Convention, then drafting and guiding the writing of the Constitution at the Convention, to shepherding it through ratification in Virginia, Madison was the indispensable man. Without him, there is a strong likelihood there would have been no Constitution and dire consequences for the country.
Madison’s plan was a new constitution, and to discard the Articles of Confederation. There were several delegates who only wanted to amend the Articles, however, after initial discussions it was agreed that a new constitution would be best. The delegates also agreed with Madison that a new constitution should give the federal government added powers over the states.
Lincoln made a number of deliberate and calculated moves to help him reach his objectives. Although ending slavery was not yet one of Lincoln’s goals, he wanted to keep political pressure on slaveholders in the South, while maintaining and building public support in the North.
Abraham Lincoln was born 206 years ago this week on February 12, 1809. He served as our 16th President from 1861-1865, during the Civil War and the darkest days of our history. Lincoln led the country to victory in the war, which saved the Union and ended slavery. For these momentous accomplishments, we are forever indebted to him.
In the first 100 days of his presidency, Roosevelt got large-scale and sweeping legislation enacted. It was an economic plan of Relief, Recovery and Reform – he called it the New Deal.
The Marshall Plan is the personification of American exceptionalism. The funds allocated for the plan were largely grants, not loans to repay. It was diplomatic generosity on a scale never seen before, and it created substantial goodwill and admiration for the U.S. worldwide.