End President's Day, Long Live Washington!

We recently went through the buffoonery of celebrating Presidents’ Day through grand sales at retail outlets and a delay in the post.  Why exactly the culture has decided that we should celebrate every single President - including the luminaries of Chester Arthur and Franklin Pierce - with deep discounts on appliances is beyond me.

Like so many of our other civic holidays, Presidents’ Day is mostly a sham.  It should be rooted out and our nation should again proudly celebrate Washington - alone.  He is truly the indispensable man in American history.  

The holiday was intended to commemorate the singular, historic accomplishments of George Washington.  February 22 (not the third Monday of February) is Washington’s true birthday.  After he was given to the ages, Americans began to celebrate his birthday without any government prodding.  In 1879, February 22 became an official federal holiday.  

That Washington deserved adulation was once a self-evident truth.  He played a key role in the skirmish that set off the French and Indian War.  That war led to enormous debt for the British Empire, which led the British imposing taxation without representation.  The British policy was a leading spark to the American Revolution.  Washington then commanded the Continental Army against the British.  Through a series of brilliant logistical and strategic actions, he wore down the finest military on the globe and won American independence.  In a masterstroke, he retired from public service.  Returning home to Mt. Vernon, he allowed the seed of freedom to sprout.  

Several years later, he was reluctantly cajoled to preside over the Constitutional Convention.  His support was crucial to ratification of the Constitution.  Not content to let Washington leave the field again, he was the only person unanimously elected (twice) as President.  As the first President, he created many of the traditions, and initiated many polices, that dominate even today.  He refused the major trappings of royalty, and understood his role as a president of a republic.  After his second term, he again voluntarily retired.  This act of relinquishing power was unparalleled since the ancients.   Awestruck, his nemesis - King George III - declared him the “greatest character of the age.”  For once, the King was right.

There was a time when Washington was recognized each year.  Today he is all but a caricature hawking carpets.  Although there are many reasons for this denigration, it was all but assured by the ruining of his holiday.  Beset by commercial and labor interests, President Richard Nixon issued an executive order fixing Washington’s Birthday on the third Monday on February.  Soon businesses and the popular culture transformed the day to “Presidents’ Day.”  Technically the federal holiday remains Washington’s - but practically it celebrates nothing.

The gutting of the holiday has consequences.  Like a religious liturgical calendar - which renews the faith of followers - America needs a civic calendar.  This calendar should make us pause to give thanks for our blessings and renew our faith in the country.  We still have the calendar (Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Veterans’ Day), but it has become so cheapened by money and three day weekends that it is worse than worthless. End the charade.

In his General Orders on July 2, 1776 to the newly formed Continental Army, Washington explained that “The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves . . . .The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army . . . . if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world.”  As a republic, his call harkens to us today.  The time is now in which the fates of millions rest.  Let us triumph.

Washington’s importance is why he holds a prominent position in the new civic celebration of Patriot Week, co-founded by me and my then 10 year old daughter Leah.  Patriot Week is renewing our civic calendar by celebrating the First Principles, Founding Fathers and other Patriots, vital documents and speeches, and flags that make America the greatest nation in world history. Anchored by the key dates of September 11 and September 17 (Constitution Day), Patriot Week renews America’s spirit and has captures the imagination and support of citizens across the nation.

Let us answer the challenge of freedom standing up for freedom and by vigorously celebrating Washington’s Birthday and Patriot Week.  

For more, visit www.PatriotWeek.org and www.AmericasSurvivalGuide.com.

The True Meaning of Patriotism

Oakland County, MI (January 23, 2014) –   “In America, patriotism is not simply the act of loving one’s country.  In America, patriotism is the love of our founding First Principles as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and embedded in our Constitution.”   Oakland County Circuit Judge Michael Warren declared recently to enthralled audiences.  “American Patriotism is keeping the flame of liberty alive.  American Patriotism is ensuring that our People and public officials stay true to the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and promoting America’s exceptionalism at home and defending it overseas.”

Addressing approximately 150 guests at the Romeo Area Tea Party in Shelby Township and 50 guests at the Southeast Michigan 912 Group in Utica at a second event, Judge Warren provided an overview of many definitions and historically rooted perspectives on the meaning of patriotism.  “Most definitions of patriotism simply refer to love of country.  Others contend that patriotism is a negative force.” Judge Warren remarked.  “But in America, true patriotism is a much deeper, positive force.  And it is the love of the deeper meaning of America that is so essential to preserving our freedoms and liberties.”  After reviewing the American Revolution and the evolution of patriotism in America - he issued a challenge to the audience to renew the spirit of America by re-embracing our founding First Principles.

Alarmed that large portions of our students and the general public are ill-informed, Judge Warren and his then 10-year-old daughter Leah created Patriot Week in 2009.  The week is anchored by the key dates of September 11 (the anniversary of the terrorist’s attacks) and September 17 (Constitution Day, the anniversary of when the United States Constitution was signed). Patriot Week is a grassroots effort to celebrate and honor America by commemorating its First Principles (the rule of law, equality, unalienable rights, the Social Compact, limited government and the right to alter or abolish an oppressive government), key historical figures, founding documents and symbols.  It is intended to fill the void left by the commercialization or disregard of our existing holidays. Detailed information about Patriot Week is available at www.patriotweek.org.  He is also the author of America’s Survival Guide, How to Stop America’s Impending Suicide by Reclaiming Our First Principles and History.

9/13: PATRIOT WEEK DAILY READING

SEPTEMBER 13:  PATRIOT WEEK OVERVIEW 

On September 13, Patriot Week recognizes the First Principle of the Social Compact.  We also recognize George Washington, who made that First Principle come alive in America. In addition, we recognize the Congressional Resolution forwarding the Constitution to the states for ratification, as well as the current USA Flag (the symbol of our current Social Compact). 

FIRST PRINCIPLE: SOCIAL COMPACT

The Declaration of Independence recognizes as a self-evident truth that “governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. . . .” 

There are two aspects to this First Principle of the Social Compact. First, that legitimate governments are instituted among the people; second, that the just powers of the government are derived from the consent of the people. 

The Founding Fathers derived much of their understanding of this First Principle from John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and and other like-minded philosophers. 

The Founding Fathers believed that because conflict is inevitable in a state of nature, individuals united in civil societies and established government to secure the peace. James Madison reflected that “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” But men are not angels, Alexander Hamilton noted, and government becomes necessary to restrain “the passions of men.” Thus, paradoxically, legal restraints are necessary to preserve liberty. The alternative is vigilantism – which Hobbes aptly termed a “war of every one against every one.” 

The second aspect of the Social Compact is that the people must consent to give the government its authority. Robert Bates, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, explained that “In every free government, the people must give their assent to the laws by which they are governed. This is the true criterion between a free government and an arbitrary one.” 

Indeed, the American Revolution was strongly motivated by a defense of this First Principle. The cry of “no taxation without representation” was directly derived from the Social Compact. 

The Social Compact is an indispensable First Principle of American freedom.

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 1787

On September 28, 1787, the Congress forwarded the proposed Constitution to the several States for their consideration. Although an often overlooked document, the resolution of Congress forwarding the proposed Constitution for ratification is the living embodiment of the First Principle of the Social Compact. Writing on a clean slate, the people of the United States had the opportunity to consent to – or reject – a proposed system of government.  The rest is history. 

FOUNDING FATHER GEORGE WASHINGTON

Born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, Washington was the leading personality of the American Revolution. 

A Virginian plantation owner and large landholder, he had become a military leader during the French and Indian War, one well-known for his bravery. In one fierce engagement early in his military career, he led his troops when his commanding officer was slain. At the time, the Indian chief in charge of the battle ordered his troops to fire on Washington. After they fired 17 times and failed to hit him (although two horses were shot from under him), the Chief ordered his troops to stop targeting Washington and declared that Washington was a man blessed by God and would become the leader of a great empire. After Washington gathered his troops, he discovered that he had four bullet holes in his overcoat, but he was never scratched. 

Washington’s impact was remarkable. This skirmish led to the French and Indian War, which led to taxation of the colonies without representation and British oppression, which led to the American Revolution and Washington becoming the commander of Continental Army - and eventually President of the United States. 

A towering figure, he was truly larger than life. In May 1775, the Second Continental Congress elected Washington as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. A man of tremendous character and fortitude, through almost sheer willpower, Washington led the American Army and faltering nation through a grueling and successful war against the mightiest empire on earth. 

Although he attempted to retire to his estate at Mount Vernon, he was called back to service as the President of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1789. Washington’s invaluable presence lent the Convention tremendous legitimacy. After the 

Constitution was ratified, he served two terms as the first President of the United States. 

When Washington had announced he would be voluntarily relinquishing power by retiring as President, his nemesis King George III stated that Washington was “placed in a light the most distinguished of any man living,” and was “the greatest character of the age.” 

No wonder, then, that in the wake of his death that the House of Representatives passed a resolution authored by Henry Lee that summarized America’s thoughts on Washington: “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

THE CURRENT USA FLAG

On June 14, 1777 (now Flag Day), the Continental Congress, adopted the national flag through the following resolution: "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." Lore has it that the Betsy Ross flag was the first official version of the flag. 

Since that date, the official flag of the United States has altered - mostly due to the increasing number of states. With the addition of each state, the flag has been modified, until its current composition including 50 stars (one for each state) in the field of blue, and with 13 stripes representing the original 13 states. 

This flag is a reflects a deep commitment to the Social Compact.

Learn more about America and Patriot Week, and renew the American Spirit, visit www.PatriotWeek.org, Facebook, Twitter, or contact Judge Michael Warren at patriotweek@gmail.com.