Kerby Anderson

As we get closer to the 250th anniversary celebration of America, many commentators will be talking about how this country survived a quarter millennium. John Stossel pulled together a video from his past interviews to answer that question.

Rob Henderson (author of Troubled) reminds us that, “In the U.S. Constitution, you see a lot of phrases like ‘Congress shall not’ or ‘No law shall be passed.’” The focus is not about what government is going to do for you, but instead on “how Congress and government are not going to interfere in your lives.”

Linnea Lueken (Heartland Institute) points to the early settlers, who were by necessity very independent. “We went out into untamed wilderness and established towns that didn’t have to lean on a central government to function properly.”

Without nobility controlling property, ordinary people could own land, start a business, and keep the profits. Ryan McMaken (Mises Institute) observes that, “America is more devoted to property rights than any other country, and that is why America is more free.”

Others pointed to checks and balances. Wilfred Reilly reminds us that the founders created “three branches of government designed specifically to check each other.” Add to that the belief mentioned by Jennifer Grossman (Atlas Society) that this is, “The first nation in history founded on the inalienable rights of the individual.”

John Stossel also provides video of those who warn about the future of our republic. This includes concerns like; “towering debt we continue to accrue” and the “targeting of political enemies.”

This brings us to the famous response from Benjamin Franklin, when asked what government they created. “A republic,” he replied, “if you can keep it.” The perennial question is whether we will work hard enough to keep it.