Heather Cox Richardson is an award-winning historian and the author of Letters from an American. She’s the author of seven books, including the bestselling Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America. Richardson revisits the Declaration of Independence and the principles of equality and self-government that set America on the road to becoming "the last, best hope of Earth."
I cannot imagine anyone in Congress or the administration today pledging their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence. The courage and patriotism of the signers remains ne plus ultra in the history of our country--and the world.
Thank you, Heather. I so appreciate all that you do to inspire and encourage us. These historical ‘moments’ are amazing in how much information they impart!
Only moments before listening, I came upon a quote tucked in among treasured books, from one of HCR’s Letters along the way:
“It is for us the living,” Lincoln said, “to be dedicated here to the unfinished work.”
~ Heather Cox Richardson
Befitting the day, it seems, without my remembering. How she has a way of bringing history into the present, with her brilliant mind and the immensity of her heart. And I am a grateful witness, and recipient.
The romantic myth of a "living" constitution is an absolute absurdity. If a written document can fluidly adapt to the shifting moral whims of any given generation, it's no longer a shield, it's a blank check for tyranny.
A constitution exists specifically to bind the government, not provide an evolutionary sandbox. If a contract can mean whatever the modern majority or a panel of judges wants it to mean on any given Tuesday, then the contract doesn't actually exist. You cannot claim to rule by law when the law itself is a moving target.
The Framers didn't build a flexible, living organism meant to grow with the times, they built a rigid structural fortress meant to survive them. They knew firsthand that human nature and the thirst for political power never change.
Richardson's "evolutionary blueprint" doesn't honor the republic, it just builds a sentimental facade over a state that has successfully broken its chains.
If you're tired of the romanticized historical mythology and want to look at the grim reality of how we became the very empire we once bled to destroy, check out our latest essay, "The Twilight of the New Rome." We dive deep into the real price paid by the signers on this literal August 2nd anniversary and trace the anatomy of an empire on its last leg. 👇🏾https://tommygunzz.substack.com/p/the-twilight-of-the-new-rome?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8q58q3
I’d love to hear HCR’s thoughts on Kermit Roosevelt III's book, The Nation That Never Was. He takes thorough issue with the veneration of the Declaration. He says that the values and virtues we ascribe to it are worthy of veneration, but are not actually in the document itself. After all, many of the signers were slaveholders, and were simultaneously committing genocide against Native Americans ("merciless savages," according to that same Declaration). "All men" not only excluded women, but didn't even include all white men; maybe not even all white male landowners. He also takes on the Constitution, and the belief that our history is one of continuous, if fitful, striving to live up to our Founders’ first principles. Great, thought-provoking book.
I cannot imagine anyone in Congress or the administration today pledging their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence. The courage and patriotism of the signers remains ne plus ultra in the history of our country--and the world.
Who better than the Professor to ring in the Declaration of Independence as we celebrate our 250th!
Thank you, Heather. I so appreciate all that you do to inspire and encourage us. These historical ‘moments’ are amazing in how much information they impart!
Only moments before listening, I came upon a quote tucked in among treasured books, from one of HCR’s Letters along the way:
“It is for us the living,” Lincoln said, “to be dedicated here to the unfinished work.”
~ Heather Cox Richardson
Befitting the day, it seems, without my remembering. How she has a way of bringing history into the present, with her brilliant mind and the immensity of her heart. And I am a grateful witness, and recipient.
This video was so inspiring! I actually felt “chills running down my spine” listening to Professor Cox Richardson’s narration. Bravo!
Heather a is BRILLIANT historian.
Thank you!!
My favorite yet!
The romantic myth of a "living" constitution is an absolute absurdity. If a written document can fluidly adapt to the shifting moral whims of any given generation, it's no longer a shield, it's a blank check for tyranny.
A constitution exists specifically to bind the government, not provide an evolutionary sandbox. If a contract can mean whatever the modern majority or a panel of judges wants it to mean on any given Tuesday, then the contract doesn't actually exist. You cannot claim to rule by law when the law itself is a moving target.
The Framers didn't build a flexible, living organism meant to grow with the times, they built a rigid structural fortress meant to survive them. They knew firsthand that human nature and the thirst for political power never change.
Richardson's "evolutionary blueprint" doesn't honor the republic, it just builds a sentimental facade over a state that has successfully broken its chains.
If you're tired of the romanticized historical mythology and want to look at the grim reality of how we became the very empire we once bled to destroy, check out our latest essay, "The Twilight of the New Rome." We dive deep into the real price paid by the signers on this literal August 2nd anniversary and trace the anatomy of an empire on its last leg. 👇🏾https://tommygunzz.substack.com/p/the-twilight-of-the-new-rome?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8q58q3
I’d love to hear HCR’s thoughts on Kermit Roosevelt III's book, The Nation That Never Was. He takes thorough issue with the veneration of the Declaration. He says that the values and virtues we ascribe to it are worthy of veneration, but are not actually in the document itself. After all, many of the signers were slaveholders, and were simultaneously committing genocide against Native Americans ("merciless savages," according to that same Declaration). "All men" not only excluded women, but didn't even include all white men; maybe not even all white male landowners. He also takes on the Constitution, and the belief that our history is one of continuous, if fitful, striving to live up to our Founders’ first principles. Great, thought-provoking book.
Richardson gets right down to the point. Nicely done.