From the Layton Constitution By James Finck, Ph.D. Feb 10, 2026 One of the primary goals of our Founders in writing the Constitution was to limit governmental authority. While they recognized the need for a stronger federal government, they also deeply feared it. To help protect the nation, they created a system that limited the … Continue reading Constitution 101: General Welfare Clause
Tag: politics
The Tree of Liberty and the cost of Revolution
From the Layton Constitution “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” This famous line, attributed to Thomas Jefferson, has returned to public discourse amid protests against ICE and Donald Trump. It is not usually spoken by elected leaders, who understandably avoid revolutionary language, but … Continue reading The Tree of Liberty and the cost of Revolution
The Long Shadow of the Monroe Doctrine
From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 When it comes to the situation in Venezuela, President Trump made an interesting comment: “If any South American country misbehaves toward any European country let the European country spank it.” While this certainly sounds like something Trump might say the quote actually … Continue reading The Long Shadow of the Monroe Doctrine
Understanding Associated Risks in an Era of Protest
From the Southwest Ledger By James Finck, Ph.d. , January 27, 2026 I remember attending a training session in college that included a presentation on sexual assault. At one point, the speaker advised women to be cautious about accepting drinks or drinking too much at parties. Some female students became upset and asked why women … Continue reading Understanding Associated Risks in an Era of Protest
The long shadow of the Monroe Doctrine
From the Lawton Constitution When it comes to the situation in Venezuela, President Trump made an interesting comment: “If any South American country misbehaves toward any European country, let the European country spank it.” While this certainly sounds like something Trump might say, the quote actually belongs to Theodore Roosevelt. It is a reminder that … Continue reading The long shadow of the Monroe Doctrine
When protest threatens democracy
From the Lawton Constitution For me, one of the most important issues we face moving forward is our respect for law and democracy. Whether one agrees with it or not, ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is a legal federal agency carrying out legally authorized duties. To claim otherwise is misleading and, at best, risks … Continue reading When protest threatens democracy
The Pamphlet That Made Our Nation
From the Southwest Ledger On the first day of class each semester, when discussing expectations, I tell my students that the most important things I hope they learn is how to write. Most of them will never work in the field of history and while I certainly hope they gain an understanding of the past … Continue reading The Pamphlet That Made Our Nation
Constitution 101: Revenue and Presentation Clauses
From the Southwest Ledger As we begin the new year, we are also starting a new section of Article I, one of the most familiar and important parts of our Constitution. When we think about constitutional protections, we often focus on checks and balances, and one of the most notable of those checks is the … Continue reading Constitution 101: Revenue and Presentation Clauses
Still a City on a Hill: Celebrating 250 Years Of the American Experiment
From the Southwest Ledger “We must delight in each other; make others’ conditions our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, as members of the same body... We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of … Continue reading Still a City on a Hill: Celebrating 250 Years Of the American Experiment
Searching for Offense in a World Desperate to Find It
From the Lawton Constitution Several times recently I have written that being offended is often the price you pay for learning. If you can go through four years of college without ever having your ideas challenged, then you are not really getting an education. What I did not say is that students should not go … Continue reading Searching for Offense in a World Desperate to Find It
