Starting a Country

I wish I were living back in 1776. I would love to have been part of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Since I am a writer, maybe I'd be responsible for a paragraph or two!

We live in the age of the start-up. Imagine starting a country! Your product is a government based on a democracy. The Constitution is your code, your standard operating procedures, and your business plan.

George Washington was our first CEO. He had the Constitution as a guideline, but I think at times he had to use his own judgment.

The Constitution was always open to interpretation. For example, William Henry Harrison, our ninth president, was the first president to die in office. John Tyler, the vice president, became president.

There was debate on whether the vice president was a temporary president until a new one could be elected, or until he completed the unfinished term.

Washington was a smart president. He had to be for if he wasn't we might have a different type of government today.

Washington was the only president not to be a member of any political party. However two issues helped create our first two political parties: the Federalist Party and the Democrat-Republican Party.

The Federalists believed in a strong central government while the Democrat-Republicans believed in strong state's rights. John Adams, our second president, was a Federalist and Thomas Jefferson; our third president was a Democrat-Republican.

Freedom of speech and either imprisoning or deporting aliens that may pose a threat to our nation were issues during John Adams's term. He signed the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798. We are facing the same issues today.

Thomas Jefferson was John Adam's vice president. Both died on July 4, 1826. James Monroe, our fifth president also died on July 4th, but in 1831.

The study of the presidency is interesting. Whether it be a past president or the current president, their actions, thoughts and beliefs are important. The past influences the present which defines the future.

The issue of a strong federal government versus state's rights is relevant today. Free speech during our war on terrorism and alien rights are also currently being debated.

Please share your thoughts with me.