Topic: Patrick Henry

Battle over health-care reform: vital lessons from America's founding fathers

Despite the ongoing attempts of House Republicans to kill President Obama's health-care reform law, the history of America's intense debate over ratifying the Constitution should make us optimistic about the law being accepted, improved, and implemented.

Arizona shooting pundits are wrong: Heated political speech isn’t the problem – it’s the solution

In the wake of the Arizona shooting, some lawmakers want to curb political speech. But raucous debate is a hallmark of a healthy democracy. Indeed, it's a safety valve that helps prevent violence, because it allows people to voice their strongly held views in hopes of persuading others.

California, Florida wisely reject gerrymandering of voting districts

Voters in California and Florida approved ballot measures to reform redistricting, or the redrawing of congressional districts after each Census. They rejected gerrymandering and oddly shaped districts that reliably favor one party and return incumbents to power.

Classic review: American Creation

Let's be real, urges historian Joseph Ellis. America's founders were neither saints nor sinners.

Our Founding Fathers' thoughts on the Supreme Court

How gerrymandering undermines democracy

In a democracy our legislators should work for us, not the other way around. Redistricting needs reform.

Roses and butterflies

A Protestant town's 'conspiracy of good' in Vichy France

As the French education ministry revisits Holocaust curricula this month, advocates say Chambon-sur-Lignon's story would be 'revolutionary' for schoolchildren.