As the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches, it’s a good time to ask, “Just what makes America great?” The country will soon commemorate an historic milestone, yet it feels like conversations about our nation’s greatness are too quiet, overshadowed by the ever-growing clamors of Marxists, woke warriors, and that lot. Let’s take a moment to appreciate what some today might call an “old-fashioned” idea: that America remains exceptionally great, and for reasons that echo far beyond the rhetoric of the cynical.
Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and, as some might remember him, a history teacher, offers insights that should remind us why this red, white, and blue nation stands tall. America is remarkable because it was born from a vision of freedom granted not by government overlords but by a Creator. Now, one might say that relying on a Creator rather than bureaucrats is what makes for a fairly sound plan. Rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness aren’t stamped by a federal department; they are inherently ours to chase with gusto. Just leave it to Jefferson and the Founding Fathers to launch a worldview where liberty is an empire that conquers hearts and minds, not countries.
The Founding Fathers, peculiar characters as they were, didn’t devise America to mimic the despotic regimes of their day. Unlike the dictators and emperors who’d sooner bend laws to keep their crowns snug, these men rallied around the notion of power being checked by power. They drew inspiration from legends like Cincinnatus, the farmer who swapped his plow for a sword only long enough to save the day before returning to his fields. It’s amusing to think that today’s power-hungry politicos might find such self-restraint baffling.
In a world of constant revolution churning into dictatorship, the Founding Fathers managed something altogether unique. When Washington laid down his sword and went back to Mount Vernon, even King George III was impressed—a lesson, perhaps, for politicians everywhere who think retiring grace comes from anything other than sincerity. The Founders were guided by more than ambition; they were guided by principles rooted in ancient wisdom and the English experience, lessons learned from the likes of the Magna Carta—imagine teaching today’s kings a thing or two about limiting their power.
At the very heart of this American experiment is the notion of separation of powers, a testament to the brilliance of thinkers like Montesquieu who saw wisdom in dividing government authority across three branches. It’s a system fascinating in its simplicity: ensure no single group gets too big for its britches. Whether drawn from fear of democracy-devouring mobs or lessons from the Roman Republic, this principle continues to serve as the backbone of American governance. It’s a protective measure keeping tyranny at bay—a feat that surely earns America its place in history as a truly great nation.
