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  • First Principles

    The future of liberty depends on reclaiming America’s first principles.

    Morning Bell: Celebrating America’s Enduring Principles

    America was born on July 4, 1776, with the passage of the Declaration of Independence. Today, as we celebrate our great country 235 years later, we reflect upon its meaning. The Declaration announced to the world that the American colonies were free and independent states. But this alone does not … More

    Happy Birthday Calvin Coolidge

    America’s birthday is also that of Calvin Coolidge, the only president born on the Fourth of July. Though best remembered as “Silent Cal,” Coolidge is one of the most eloquent defenders of America’s principles. And the Declaration of Independence received his highest praise: “If all men are created equal, that … More

    Five Great Virtues that Make Americans Amazing

    On the day when everyone celebrates America and the glorious document that justifies its existence, I’d like to offer three cheers for the amazing Americans who make up this great country. After all, we revere the principles of the Declaration of Independence because they give rise, when applied, to a … More

    Podcast: Happy Independence Day!

    “The principles of our republic must be protected vigilantly at home and defended fearlessly abroad,” Heritage President Edwin J. Feulner states in a special message for Independence Day in this week’s Heritage in Focus podcast. “Read the Declaration of Independence,” Heritage scholar David Azerrad urges. “It’s the philosophical soul of … More

    Why We Celebrate Independence Day on July 4

    We celebrate America’s birth on July 4. Why? It was July 2 that the Continental Congress resolved, “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” Shouldn’t that day, as John Adams predicted, “be the most memorable epoch in the history of America”? No. … More

    America, the Great Beacon of Liberty

    The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a glorious day for our country’s history. With a stroke of a pen, our founders sealed an enduring document representing the triumph of liberty over tyranny. And yet, centuries after this, one of the most important events in our country’s history, it’s … More

    Kucinich Invites Foreign Intrigue with NATO War Crimes Letter

    Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) recently sent a letter to the United Nations and the International Criminal Court enjoining them to initiate an investigation of NATO and its military commanders for potential war crimes related to civilian deaths in Afghanistan and Libya.  Kucinich concluded his exhortation: “NATO has repeatedly and wantonly … More

    Shouldn’t the Constitution Get with the Times Already?

    Reading the results of the latest Pew poll on how to interpret the Constitution, I was reminded of an insightful remark by the great essayist Montaigne: “It is very easy, upon accepted foundations, to build what you please.” What really matters, in other words, is the question. Once you’ve framed … More

    Campaign Finance Freedom Is Freedom for All

    This week the U.S. Supreme Court rounded out its session by striking down an Arizona law that provided publicly funded candidates with funds matching those of their privately funded opponents. Heritage expert Hans von Spakovsky explains in more detail here. Campaign finance reform nerds of the conservative persuasion cheered, but … More

    Federalism Guarantees States Key Role in Controlling Immigration

    Critics of state and local government action on immigration fail to keep in mind one simple but critical point: The states have these rights. It is preposterous to take the position that, short of federal action or the commission of a crime, governors and mayors are constitutionally powerless to deal … More