This article is an achievement Chak! Thank you for thinking deeply and articulating the foundational principles so clearly. We are not called upon inventing new first principles, but to better understand and apply those already proclaimed and enshrined 250 years ago in our nation's founding! This article is a first step in that direction on this great day!
100%. For many generations now, both major political parties seem to have been on a journey away from our founding principles - both for different reasons, and (un)justifications!
Thanks, Raj! Exactly. The reason we are not called upon to invent new first principles is that there is nothing more fundamental, politically, than individual rights and a government instituted to secure them. We don’t look back to 1776 out of tradition or because we’re trying to “conserve” the past. We return to it because it represents a pinnacle of human political thought. Every generation’s task is not to replace those principles, but to better understand them and apply them more diligently.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article. It serves as a timely reminder for all of us to revisit the ideas that gave birth to a new nation and to reflect on how America continues to strive each day to uphold those founding ideals. It is our responsibility to understand, preserve, and defend these values for us and for our future generations.
Thank you for writing this thoughtful piece and reminding us of the foundational principles upon which America was founded, especially during today's geopolitical and cultural uncertainty.
thank you so much! Yes. The foundations are relevant at all times—but more so today than ever. I guess people in every generation feel the same way. Happy 4th of July!
Thank you so much, Venkat! I couldn’t agree more. These principles are not merely ideals to admire—they are the standards by which we should organize a free and civilized society, evaluate our institutions, and judge our political leaders. They also provide the foundation upon which every generation can build a freer, more just, and more prosperous future.
Thank you Chak for sharing such a powerful perspective on independence. Beyond the celebration of a historical event, your article captured the enduring values of liberty, responsibility, opportunity, and leadership that continue to define the American spirit. The connection between founding principles and the individuals who carried those ideals forward made it especially impactful. I truly appreciate the thought and effort that went into writing it. We will read more and watch those movies as well
Thank you so much! I’m really glad it resonated with you. I hope you enjoy the reading and the films—they beautifully complement the ideas in the essay. Happy Independence Day!
Thanks a lot, Chak, for reminding us of the principles on which this great nation was formed.
Governments cannot give rights. Their role is to protect them. Claims upon another person’s labor is not "right"; it's stealing!
"America’s prosperity was not merely the product of geography, natural resources, or history. It was, in large measure, the consequence of the liberty those principles made possible."
Happy Independence Day. Happy 250th Birthday, America !!
Thank you! I’m so glad those ideas resonated with you. Liberty is indeed the foundation upon which America’s prosperity was built. Happy Independence Day—and Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸
Thank you for compiling this article and reminding us all the importance of the fundamental rights of every individual, and the constitutional rights to protect them!!! [ copying the text from the article here " They are the moral and political recognition that every individual is free to think, to speak, to produce, to trade, to pursue happiness, and to live his or her own life—provided that, in doing so, one does not violate the equal rights of another." ]
Thank you so much! I’m glad that passage resonated with you. To me, it captures the essence of liberty: each of us is free to live our own life, so long as we respect the equal rights of others. Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
Thank you! Exactly—that was one of the essay’s central themes. The American Dream is the consequence of the American Promise. Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
This article is an achievement Chak! Thank you for thinking deeply and articulating the foundational principles so clearly. We are not called upon inventing new first principles, but to better understand and apply those already proclaimed and enshrined 250 years ago in our nation's founding! This article is a first step in that direction on this great day!
100%. For many generations now, both major political parties seem to have been on a journey away from our founding principles - both for different reasons, and (un)justifications!
Thanks, Raj! Exactly. The reason we are not called upon to invent new first principles is that there is nothing more fundamental, politically, than individual rights and a government instituted to secure them. We don’t look back to 1776 out of tradition or because we’re trying to “conserve” the past. We return to it because it represents a pinnacle of human political thought. Every generation’s task is not to replace those principles, but to better understand them and apply them more diligently.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article. It serves as a timely reminder for all of us to revisit the ideas that gave birth to a new nation and to reflect on how America continues to strive each day to uphold those founding ideals. It is our responsibility to understand, preserve, and defend these values for us and for our future generations.
Thank you for writing this thoughtful piece and reminding us of the foundational principles upon which America was founded, especially during today's geopolitical and cultural uncertainty.
Happy Independence Day!
thank you so much! Yes. The foundations are relevant at all times—but more so today than ever. I guess people in every generation feel the same way. Happy 4th of July!
Dear Chak - Thank you very much for a phenomenal perspective, grounded in first principles.
Also, An affirming note on leveraging the same first principles, not only as standards to measure against and but also to create an amazing future.
Thanks again for such a powerful article to internalize on this amazing 250th anniversary milestone.
Thank you so much, Venkat! I couldn’t agree more. These principles are not merely ideals to admire—they are the standards by which we should organize a free and civilized society, evaluate our institutions, and judge our political leaders. They also provide the foundation upon which every generation can build a freer, more just, and more prosperous future.
Thank you Chak for sharing such a powerful perspective on independence. Beyond the celebration of a historical event, your article captured the enduring values of liberty, responsibility, opportunity, and leadership that continue to define the American spirit. The connection between founding principles and the individuals who carried those ideals forward made it especially impactful. I truly appreciate the thought and effort that went into writing it. We will read more and watch those movies as well
Thank you so much! I’m really glad it resonated with you. I hope you enjoy the reading and the films—they beautifully complement the ideas in the essay. Happy Independence Day!
Thanks a lot, Chak, for reminding us of the principles on which this great nation was formed.
Governments cannot give rights. Their role is to protect them. Claims upon another person’s labor is not "right"; it's stealing!
"America’s prosperity was not merely the product of geography, natural resources, or history. It was, in large measure, the consequence of the liberty those principles made possible."
Happy Independence Day. Happy 250th Birthday, America !!
Thank you! I’m so glad those ideas resonated with you. Liberty is indeed the foundation upon which America’s prosperity was built. Happy Independence Day—and Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸
Thank you for compiling this article and reminding us all the importance of the fundamental rights of every individual, and the constitutional rights to protect them!!! [ copying the text from the article here " They are the moral and political recognition that every individual is free to think, to speak, to produce, to trade, to pursue happiness, and to live his or her own life—provided that, in doing so, one does not violate the equal rights of another." ]
Thank you so much! I’m glad that passage resonated with you. To me, it captures the essence of liberty: each of us is free to live our own life, so long as we respect the equal rights of others. Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
Good one! I liked the cause and effect relationship between American founding principles and its success and prosperity..
Thank you! Exactly—that was one of the essay’s central themes. The American Dream is the consequence of the American Promise. Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
Thanks for taking the time to bring the Focus to the founding principles of a great nation.
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it!