The American Social Fabric

Happy Independence Day! (July 2, 1776) Jul 04, 2024

Today we discuss the real act of American independence, the Lee Resolution, also known as, The Resolution for Independence.

Responding to the First Presidential Debate Jun 29, 2024

In this quick episode, I give my initial rambling thoughts on the triumph that was the first (any likely only) 2024 Presidential debate. I also give some brief thoughts on the book "Democracy or Else" and share a passage that stuck with me.

John Adams and his Thoughts on Government Jun 14, 2024

Welcome back to the American Social Fabric Podcast! This podcast looks at what it means to be an American, and the influential people and thoughts that helped shape that meaning. This week we go through John Adam's 1776 Thoughts on Government, Applicable to the Present State of the American Colonies.

During this discussion I also reference the Pursuit of Happiness by Jeffrey Rosen.

Declaring and Making War (Federalist Paper No. 23 - Alexander Hamilton) May 30, 2024

Welcome back to the American Social Fabric Podcast! This podcast looks at what it means to be an American, and the influential people and thoughts that helped shape that meaning.

In this week's episode, we look at The Federalist No. 23, an essay written by Alexander Hamilton concerning what war making powers the federal government should possess under the Constitution.

Loyalty to the President May 24, 2024

Welcome back to the American Social Fabric Podcast! This podcast looks at what it means to be an American, and the influential people and thoughts that helped shape that meaning.

This week we look at a speech Dean Acheson gave for President Truman in 1953 concerning loyalty.

Persuader in Chief - Truman and the Role of the President May 13, 2024

Welcome back to the American Social Fabric Podcast. This week we look a letter written from Dean Acheson to President Harry Truman in 1953 concerning the role of the president. Enjoy!

PS - I do realize that when I meant to say "aristocrat" I say "aristocat", which is a very different thing.

Episode 28 - Fighting Against American Decline (Bill of Obligations by Richard Haass) Mar 24, 2023

This week we look at Part I of Richard Haass' new book, Bill of Obligations. In the episode we discuss the erosion of American democracy and of American society. We also explore our political system's focus on individual rights and what the government owes the individual without a corresponding emphasis on what each citizen owes his or her fellow Americans.

Episode 27 - Are you Proud to be an American? Are Americans losing faith? Mar 16, 2023

This week we look at a June, 2022 poll done by Gallup which asked people if they were proud to be an America. The results may SHOCK you.

You can find the poll here: https://news.gallup.com/poll/394202/record-low-extremely-proud-american.aspx

Thank you for checking out the podcast!

Episode 26 - We're Back! Plans Moving Forward and the Man in the Arena by Teddy Roosevelt Mar 09, 2023

Hello again! This week I discuss where I have been, my plans for the future and we delve into a quote from Teddy Roosevelt's Man in the Arena speech. You can read the whole speech at: https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Learn-About-TR/TR-Encyclopedia/Culture-and-Society/Man-in-the-Arena.aspx

Episode 25 - Did the Constitution Protect the Slave Trade? (Luther Martin on the Slave Trade in Early America) Jun 15, 2022

Welcome back to the twenty-fifth episode of the American Social Fabric Podcast. This week we look at the Constitution's protection of the slave trade in the early US and on the writings of the Founding Father Martin Luther. This week's episode underscores the great contradiction of many of the Founding Fathers when it came to slavery, it was something they wanted to remove and also something they participated in.

You can find the essay at: https://consource.org/document/luther-martin-genuine-information-viii-1788-1-22/20130122080919/\.

Also, if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn.

Thank you for your interest in the podcast and have a great week!

Episode 24 - The Character of those at the Top Matters (Jim Mattis on Leadership) Jun 08, 2022

Welcome back to the twenty-fourth episode of the American Social Fabric Podcast. This week we take a break from the typical exploration of the ideas and writings of our Founding Fathers and examine the book of a more recent American figure, Jim Mattis, who was both a General in the Marines and the Secretary of Defense. We will cover Part 1 of Mattis' book "Call Sign Chaos" as apply some of the leadership principles contained in his book to current American lawmakers and political leaders.

Thank you for your interest in the podcast and have a great week!

Episode 23 - Memorial Day and D-Day Special Episode (Writings of Generals Dwight Eisenhower and Jim Mattis) Jun 01, 2022

Welcome back to the twenty third episode of the American Social Fabric Podcast. This week we take a break from the typical exploration of the ideas and writings of our Founding Fathers and listen to the words of more recent American generals. In this episode, we listen to General Dwight Eisenhower's D-Day address to his men about to invade Europe and General Jim Mattis' letter to his Marines before they began their invasion of Iraq in 2003. The purpose of this Memorial Day and D-Day anniversary episode is to appreciate the sacrifices made by those Americans who fought and died for our ideals of freedom, liberty and self-determination. As noted in the episode, it is not meant to be a comment on the politics or policy decisions of the Bush Administration, but an appreciation of the risks those of the greatest generation and of my generation took to preserve American ideals.

Thank you for your interest in the podcast and have a great week!

Episode 22 - Brutus IV and Concerns with Corruption in American Leaders May 25, 2022

Welcome back to the twenty second episode of the American Social Fabric Podcast. This week we return to the Brutus essays, explore Brutus IV and discuss the unknown author's concern over bad American leadership and politicians who will be corrupt and put their interests above those of the Nation. This week's episode underscores the point that good, honest leadership whose interests are aligned with those of the average American are essential for the protection of our liberties and freedoms.

You can find the essay at: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/brutus-iv/.

Also, if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn.

Thank you for your interest in the podcast and have a great week!

Episode 21 - The Importance of Good American Leaders (A Countryman II) May 18, 2022

Welcome to the 21st episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we will discuss the essay "A Countryman - II", by Roger Sherman, published in the New Haven Gazette of Connecticut on November 22, 1787. You can find a copy of this essay here:

https://csac.history.wisc.edu/wpcontent/uploads/sites/281/2017/07/ct_countryman_II.pdf

Also, if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn.

In this episode, we explore Sherman's argument that it is more important that those you delegate power to have the same appreciation for your liberties as you than the contents of any Constitution or Bill of Rights. Sherman believes that what really counts for the flourishing of liberty is quality leadership whose values are aligned with those of the average citizen.

Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Episode 20 - James Madison's Warnings About Political Parties (Federalist Papers No. 10) May 11, 2022

Welcome to the 20th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we will discuss the 10th of the Federalist articles published in the Daily Advertiser of New York on November 22, 1787. You can find a copy of this article here: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/primary-sources/federalist-no-10. Also, if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn.

In this episode, we explore James Madison's warnings about political parties and the dangers they pose to the functioning of our government. Madison then discusses how the democratic republic established by the Constitution provides certain buffers against the worst of political parties and peoples' natural inclination to them.

Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Episode 19 - America's Endless Debate (America's Role in the World) May 04, 2022

Hello, and welcome back to Episode 19 of the American Social Fabric Podcast! In this week's episode we discuss an article in the May/June 2022 edition of the Foreign Affairs Journal written by Robert Kagan titled, "The Price of Hegemony". In this discussion, I focus on the author's call for Americans to continue their debate over what America's role should be in the world and to recognize and consider the implications of its power. My thesis is America cannot be safe without a general agreement on what its role in the world should be as that is an essential part of our social fabric. We then move to "The Good" where we talk about a recent episode of Rep. Dan Crenshaw's We the People Podcast where he and Douglas Murry discuss exactly the point of this podcast, to create agreement on our past (our social fabric) so that we can function better as a society and nation moving forward. You can find a copy of the article here (warning there may be a paywall): https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/ukraine/2022-04-06/russia-ukraine-war-price-hegemony You can find Rep. Dan Crenshaw's podcast here: https://youtu.be/B7qsbICklJg That you for checking out the podcast!

Episode 18 - Letters from the Federal Farmer (Part 5) Apr 27, 2022

Welcome to the 18th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we discuss the fifth and final letter in the series of anti-federalist letters known as the "Letters from the Federal Farmer to The Republican". In this episode, the author wraps up his discussion of the draft Constitution and turns to how he sees the ratification process should be conducted. In particular, he wants a full and fair discussion of the draft in the state legislatures and a good faith attempt by all to amend the draft to a satisfactory form. He does not want the bad actors on both side of the debate to interfere. In sum, the author wants the citizens to have their opportunity to review the draft, voice their concerns and to have their will made law.

You can find a copy of this letter at the following location:

https://hdl.handle.net/2027/pst.000012202621?urlappend=%3Bseq=876%3Bownerid=13510798902521002-880

If you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn. Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Episode 17 - Letters from the Federal Farmer (Part 4) Apr 20, 2022

Welcome to the 17th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we discuss the fourth letter in the series of anti-federalist letters known as the "Letters from the Federal Farmer to The Republican". In this episode, the author analyzes the implied and ambiguous powers granted to the federal government under the draft Constitution and the need for certain express fundamental rights. While today, many of the author's concerns are accounted for in the Bill of Rights (freedom of religion, freedom of the press, etc.) it is always interesting to see the perspective of persons before such things as the Bill of Rights were law. You can find a copy of this letter at the following location: https://hdl.handle.net/2027/pst.000012202621?urlappend=%3Bseq=869%3Bownerid=13510798902521002-873 If you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn. Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Episode 16 - Letters from the Federal Farmer (Part 3) Apr 13, 2022

Welcome to the 16th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we discuss the third letter in the series of anti-federalist letters known as the "Letters from the Federal Farmer to The Republican". In this episode, the author analyzes the structure of the federal government under the draft Constitution, gives his opinions on the issues inherent in that structure, and considers the powers he sees as improperly granted to it. You can find a copy of this letter at the following link:

https://hdl.handle.net/2027/pst.000012202621?urlappend=%3Bseq=854%3Bownerid=13510798902519868-862

If you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn. Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Episode 15 - Letters from the Federal Farmer (Part 2) Apr 06, 2022

Welcome to the 15th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we discuss the second installment in the series of anti-federalist letters known as the "Letters from the Federal Farmer to The Republican". In this episode, the author sets forth what he sees as essential for a free and fair society, and the social compact required for that society to operate.

You can find a copy of this letter at the following link: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/federal-farmer-ii/.

If you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn.

Finally, we begin our discussion by following up on a few points made last week as they relate to some ideas of John Lewis Gaddis in his excellent book, "On Grand Strategy".

Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Episode 14 - Letters from the Federal Farmer (Part 1) Mar 30, 2022

Welcome to the 14th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we discuss the first installment in the series of anti-federalist letters known as the "Letters from the Federal Farmer to The Republican". You can find a copy of this letter at the following link: https://press pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch8s12.html Also, if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn. In this episode, as we explore the letter, the author asks the interesting question - did America need the Constitution? My answer is, of course, a resounding yes, but it is interesting to hear the perspective of those who were there when the decisions about ratification was being debated. Particularly, the opinions of those who thought that even more protection of liberty and freedom was needed. Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Episode 13 - An Attempted Moderate - Elbridge Gerry and his Letter to the Massachusetts Legislature Mar 23, 2022

Welcome to the 13th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we will discuss Elbridge Gerry's Letter the the Massachusetts Legislature published in the Massachusetts Centinel on November 3, 1787. You can find a copy of this letter on page 2 of the following link: https://archive.csac.history.wisc.edu/DOM_04.2015_Gerrys_Objections.pdf. Also, if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn.

In this episode we explore the letter, Elbridge's objections to the draft constitution and a message of moderation and duty as an American.

Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Episode 12 - Lessons from the Founding Fathers (Part 1) Mar 16, 2022

Welcome back to the American Social Fabric Podcast. Episode 12 is the first "summary" episode of the podcast where we extract and summarize the main lessons and interesting ideas from the various texts we have covered thus far. The things we discuss this week include the miracle of the Constitution and the growth of power. I hope you enjoy!

Episode 11 - The Freedom to Protest and The Freedom to Speak Mar 09, 2022

Welcome back to the American Social Fabric podcast! This week is a short episode as I just wanted to highlight the importance of the freedoms of speech, assembly and protest to a free society and for a people to determine their own future. Also, in the "Good" we discuss the importance of determining your own meaning in life so that you can live in accordance with that meaning. You can find the clip that I mention when discussing the "Good" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAgLW-LXHIo. Thank you for listening and I hope you have a great rest of your week. Tune in next week for a standard length episode which summarizes the major points raised in the first ten episodes of this show.

Episode 10 - The Federalist Papers No. 1 - Three Timely Warnings from Alexander Hamilton Mar 02, 2022

Welcome to the 10th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we will discuss the first of the Federalist Paper articles published in the Independent Journal of New York on October 27, 1787. You can find a copy of this article here: https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-1-10#s-lg-box-wrapper-25493264. Also, if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn.

In this episode we explore the article and three of the "warnings" from Alexander Hamilton that are in the text and which are applicable to our modern context, and those are: 1) the danger of ego and hubris in political debate, 2) the dangers of political parties, and 3) the dangers of political pundits seeking power through appeals to liberty. After our discussion of the article, we move into the "Good" where we discuss goal setting and achieving your goals.

Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Episode 9 - Cato III Feb 23, 2022

Welcome to Episode 9 of the American Social Fabric Podcast! This podcast explores the Founding Fathers, core American principles, and the ideas and debates that forged our great country.

This week we explore the question - does a free republic have to be small to function? I certainly don't think so in our modern age, but the unknown author of the Cato III article posted in the New York Journal on October 24, 1787 raises some interesting questions regarding what makes a state legitimate to its people, how do you prevent private citizens from gaining too much power, and can people care for others outside of their immediate community? A copy of the Cato III article can be found at: https://archive.csac.history.wisc.edu/26_Cato_III.pdf and if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn. Finally, if you are interested in the passage I read for "the Good" segment of this week's Episode, it is from Ryan Holiday's "The Daily Stoic", the July 4th entry.

Remember to keep your flame shining bright and thank you for checking out the podcast.

Episode 8 - Jefferson's Response from France Feb 16, 2022

In this week's Episode 8, we cover Thomas Jefferson's response to James Madison's letter from Episode 7. In Jefferson's December 20, 1787 letter, he discuss his likes and dislikes of the draft Constitution which was put forward to the states for ratification. In particular, Jefferson likes the separation of powers between the states and federal government, the balance of power between the large and small states, and the veto vested in the President. Jefferson's dislikes include the lack of an express Bill of Rights and the lack of a limit on Presidential terms. The letter discussed in this week's episode can be found at: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-10-02-0210. Also, if you would like to buy the book I am using for research it is "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" edited by Robert Allison and Bernard Bailyn.

Finally, we end with a quote from Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, 12.1 where the focus is on finding happiness or contentment in the current moment instead of making such fulfilment contingent on some future event. I believe that such an outlook will help everyone deal with both politics and life in a better manner.

Episode 7 - State Power Feb 09, 2022

On this week's episode we discuss James Madison's letter to Thomas Jefferson dated October 24, 1787. In this letter, Madison is updating Jefferson (who is away representing the US in France) about the Constitutional Convention and draft Constitution. You can find a copy of the letter here: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-12-02-0274. Also, if you would like to buy the book I am using for research it is "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" edited by Robert Allison and Bernard Bailyn.

Thank you and I hope you enjoy the podcast!

Episode 6 - A Political Dialogue & Some Thoughts on American Foreign Policy (Ukraine Crisis) Feb 02, 2022

Welcome back to the sixth episode of the American Social Fabric Podcast! This week we discuss A Political Dialogue, a short publication from the Massachusetts Centinel published in 1787. You can find a copy here: https://archive.csac.history.wisc.edu/political_dialogue.pdf. After the quick discussion of this article, I share some thoughts about America's inability to plan and implement an effective foreign policy in our divided political climate.

I hope you enjoy this episode and please share your thoughts in the Q&A comments!

Episode 5 - Brutus I and the Anti-Federalists Jan 26, 2022

Welcome back to the fifth episode of the American Social Fabric Podcast. This week we discuss the Federalists and Anti-Federalists before diving into Brutus I, an Anti-Federalist article published to oppose the ratification of the Constitution. In this episode we discuss the Anti-Federalist concern over excessive federal power and the continued creep of growing federal power. You can find the more information on the article at: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/brutus-i-2/.

Thank you for your interest in the podcast and have a great week!

Episode 4 - James Wilson's Speech Jan 19, 2022

In this episode, we look a speech by the Founding Father James Wilson. The speech is known as both the "Speech at a Public Meeting" and the "Speech at a State House Yard", and in it, James Wilson addresses criticisms of the purposed Constitution. You can find a copy of the speech here: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/state-house-speech/. After addressing some of the interesting aspects of the document, we then discuss that it is okay to be proud of America's intellectual history and development, even while acknowledging the bad and human elements of our history.

Yes the title of this episode is an attempted pun on James Wilsons' War. I figure anyone who would listen to this podcast would appreciate the attempt.

Episode 3 - Best Case Scenario Jan 13, 2022

In this episode we continue our discussion of Alexander Hamilton's Conjectures About the New Constitution letter. While this letter went unpublished, it is an interesting insight into the concerns of our Founding Fathers and early America. Last week we discussed how it is surprising that Alexander focused in on the most basic needs of financial and physical security as the most important factors on both sides of the Constitutional debate for and against the adoption of the Constitution. In this week's episode, we consider Alexander's views on the outcome of the Constitutional debate and the likely courses the early Nation could take if it failed to wholly ratify the Constitution. In the end we will find that, in many ways, we ended up with the best case scenario given the fickle nature of history.

You can find the letter here:https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0139.

I hope you enjoy this episode and thank you for your interest!

Episode 2 - Different Time, Same Concerns Jan 07, 2022

In this episode we discuss Alexander Hamilton's Conjectures About the New Constitution letter. While this letter went unpublished, it is an interesting insight into the concerns of our Founding Fathers and early America. What is most surprising is how Alexander focuses in on the most basic needs of financial and physical security as the most important factors on both sides of the Constitutional debate for and against the adoption of the Constitution. Ultimately, many of the factors we discuss in this podcast (written over 200 years ago) have direct parallels to hot button issues discussed in our media everyday. For instance the role of the government in facilitating business and trade, the protection of personal property, avoidance of debt and taxes. You can find the letter here:https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0139.

I hope you enjoy this episode and thank you for your interest!

Episode 1 - It will never be perfect. Jan 03, 2022

Welcome to the first episode of the American Social Fabric Podcast! In this episode, I do a brief introduction of myself, my background and my motivations for creating the show. We then explore some excerpts from Benjamin Franklin's speech at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787 where he argues in favor of the delegates' unanimous support for the Constitution. I hope you enjoy, and remember, you too can be wrong!

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