You may recall some recent postings that discussed my newfound fascination with the lives and legacies of two of Virginia’s greatest citizens: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. This fervent interest followed two inspirational trips that I made to Jefferson’s Monticello and Madison’s Montpelier estates earlier this year. After learning more about these two ‘Founding Fathers,’ I began doing some independent research into their political contributions. Simply put, I was completely enamored by these exceptional gentlemen. As a result, I began reading up on the origins of The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers. I have also been reading a rather magnificent paperback too. It is perhaps the best history book, as well as the most complicated, that I have ever read. It is titled: “The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson: An autobiography and public and private letters.”

This book is a reprint that combines a historical analysis of Thomas Jefferson (both politically and privately), along with his own autobiography, letters, and drafted versions of ‘The Declaration.’ It’s certainly the kind of read that takes a while to digest, and it may take a couple months to complete it. What struck me as I read the Introduction to the book are the revelations that:

1. The United States Government (even in it’s infancy) never got along, or willingly worked together for the betterment of the people. Some of the partisan fights that we are witnessing today appear to echo from the earliest days of Congress.

2. Our Presidents and their administrations used to be made up of these absolutely brilliant, renaissance men who were both intellectually and morally superior to the rest of the population. They were men who were far more righteous than any politician that we have today, and men who truly deserved the honor and distinction of being a ruler.

3. We have fallen so far from the original properties and principles that were put forth from these brilliant minds that they would probably not even recognize America today. (The blame points to BOTH the right and left.) There is hope as the example has already been set by our forefathers.

4. The harsh reality that ‘we the people’ today are so small, so selfish, and so stupid (for lack of a better term) than those who fought for our independence and established our great nation. This fact is far too often forgotten and we should be more vigilant with the blessings that have been bestowed upon us.

I personally hope that as I continue on this journey into our past, I will appreciate what it truly means to be an American, do a better job impressing upon my children how special our patriotic roots are, and remind them how grateful we should be each and every day. Thanks to the efforts of men like Jefferson and Madison, we can all live safe and relatively sound in the land of liberty and home of the brave.