The Uncommon Wisdom of Calvin Coolidge

Now that the last hot dog has been eaten and the fireworks have faded from the sky it is interesting to reflect on the significance of July 4th in American history. Certainly the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which anniversary we just celebrated, it the most important event to take place on that date. History buffs also marvel that the author of that work, Thomas Jefferson, and his friend and political rival, John Adams, both died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the signing.

For Vermonters, July 4th holds additional significance as the birth date of one of only two U.S. Presidents born in the state, Calvin Coolidge. Coolidge, who was born in Plymouth Notch in 1872, served as our thirtieth president from 1923 until 1929. Nicknamed “Silent Cal,” he has never been a favorite of modern historians, who seem to prefer more activist presidents. Nonetheless, he is quickly becoming popular among those who understand the roles large, powerful government and unwise economic policy play in restricting liberty.

Coolidge brought the traditional Vermont values of independence, hard work and self-reliance to Washington, as well as an appreciation for the broader American context in which those characteristics were nurtured. He demonstrated this when he said “To live under the American Constitution is the greatest political privilege that was ever accorded to the human race.”

In his autobiography Coolidge wrote of the Constitution “The more I study it, the more I have come to admire it, realizing that no other document devised by the hand of man every brought so much progress and happiness to humanity. The good it has wrought can never be measured.” Coolidge recognized that to preserve these principles careful and thoughtful governance was essential. While he was mayor of Northampton, Massachusetts, he advised his father John, who was about to become a Vermont state senator, to avoid over-legislating.

“It is more important to kill bad bills than to pass good ones . . . See that the bills you recommend from your committee are worded so that they will do just what they intend and not a great deal more than is undesirable. Most bills can’t stand that test.”

Coolidge demonstrated a keen understanding of the connection between prosperity and liberty. He said “Ultimately property rights and personal rights are the same thing.” He cautioned against the politics of envy in his presidential inaugural address when he said. “The wise and correct course to follow in taxation and in all other economic legislation is not to destroy those who have already secured success, but to create conditions under which everyone will have a better chance to be successful.”

In that same speech he recognized government’s obligation to fiscal responsibility.
“I favor the policy of economy, not because I wish to save money, but because I wish to save people. The men and women of this country who toil are the ones who bear the cost of government. Every dollar that we carelessly waste means that their life will be so much more meager. Every dollar that we prudently save means their life will be so much more the abundant. Economy is idealism in its most practical form.”

Coolidge rejected the Progressive philosophy of materialism which dominated early 20th century American politics. In a speech occasioned by the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence he said, “The things of the spirit come first. Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren scepter in our grasp.”

In that same speech he celebrated the American ideals of equality, liberty, popular sovereignty, and the rights of man, and pronounced them a product of spiritual and religious conviction. He exhorted the American people to remember and hold tightly to their nation’s philosophical roots. “Governments do not make ideals,” Coolidge said, “but ideals make governments.”

Finally, Coolidge demonstrated a firm understanding of that most sacred of all relationships when he said, “Any man who does not like dogs and [does not] want them about does not deserve to be in the White House.”

Definitely a president of uncommon wisdom.

A thank you note

To: President Hancock, Mr. Adams, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Livingston, and the Congress Assembled

Dear Sirs:

I have been taught that for every gift a note of thanks is in order. On this anniversary of your most precious gift to me and my family, I write you this note of appreciation for the gift given all those years ago.

It is hard to summarize the wonder and beauty of the gift you have granted me. Though I am sure you were aware of its majesty when given, I don't think you quite realized how truly awesome such a gift would be. Adding to the myriad charms of your gift was the wrapping in which it came. The document which enveloped the gift was a work of art whose words still echo with clarity, purpose, and power. Each time I read that document, I am amazed by how it moves me and how it summarizes for me what it means to be an American. It not only presents a claim, but also an ideology, the American ideal.

When you gave this gift, it was clear that it required a great deal of you all. It was not a simple offering, made with hardly a thought. It was a gift forged in a time of uncertainty, a time of war, and time where by simply offering the same placed much in jeopardy. The gift was not easy, a great labor of time, energy, and faith. Yet, I know that it was a labor of love. Love not only for yourselves and your families, but for all who were to come, including me and mine.

I doubt at the time of giving that you had any idea what it would mean for future generations. I do know that it was a gift filled with potential and promise. It was an opportunity filled with chances and failures, but one that allows us all to hope and dream of our own futures.

Yes, your gift gave me liberty and freedom, but I recognize that it also placed great responsibility on my shoulders. Sometimes those responsibilities can be overwhelming. To be ever vigilent to protect my gift. Requiring me to be active and engaged in the world around me. To demand more of myself so that I can hold my servants to the same standard. None of these things are easy or simple. Yet, I am thankful for them. Perhaps more so than the freedom that necessitates them because they make me a better person.

Unfortunately, in this day in which I live, there are many who have your gift, but do not cherish it. Some grasp tightly the words of freedom and ignore the responsibilities. Some have tucked their gift away, ignoring or unaware of the true meaning contained therein. Still others show off and laud their gift, but do not understand how to use it. Finally, there are those who dismiss your gift, calling it anachronistic and inapplicable to our modern times. I sometimes find myself driven to despair when I see how little value so many place in your gift.

However, I know that you faced the same problem even at the time of giving your gift to this land. You were not perfect. I know that you did not always know whether what you were doing was right or inevitable. Many a misstep made your progress difficult and dangerous. And even as the darkness of ill-fortune plagued you in the midst of revolution, you stood by your ideals and saw them through to the end. You kept great faith in your beliefs even when it seemed that was all you had. It is your example that empowers me to continue and gives great meaning to your gift.

So, as the sun sets on this 234 year anniversary of your great gift, I wanted you to know that its light and energy still lives in this land. The times may grow dark and the wisdom of your age may sometimes be forgotten, but some many of us are thankful for your efforts and seek to sustain your gift for generations to come.

Therefore, I thank you for my liberty, freedom, responsibility, and the ideology that animates all of them. I thank you for your example, your faith, and your sacrifice. I thank you for your good works, ideals, and finely crafted words. Most of all, I thank you for creating a world where I can say, I am an American.

Your grateful son,

Steven J. Howard

Porc Fest Blog Day Seven/Eight

This is the final blog entry relative to the Porc Fest for this year. I am writing this from the comfort of my own home.

Day seven allowed us to sleep in a little, but by 9 am we were out and about visiting vendors, chatting with other campers, and catching more seminars including an up date about Line Plot Productions' Silver Circle Movie. I then posed for imaging photos which may be used in the movie for crowd scenes. Glyn Wilkinson, who came to the Porc Fest that day, also posed for the imaging photo. So we both have a real chance of actually appearing in the movie "Silver Circle." I also spoke with another producer who is working up a liberty oriented horror film called "Chartarum". He even showed me a clip from the film, and it didn't look bad.

Later that evening, Maria and I set out to our campsite to set up for the evening movie, V for Vendetta. We weren't sure how many people would show. Upon arrival, we found a family had already settled into the theater. Within fifteen minutes of our arrival, the tent was full. We therefore started the film. Before the movie got into full swing, still more arrived and we had to open the tent up and use the canopy for seating. A rough head count showed that at least 17 people had crammed themselves into our tent. Surprisingly and despite the cramped quarters, the tent remained silent throughout the film and the end of the movie was greated with applause and thank yous.

The next morning, as we tore down the pavilion, several people came up to express interest in what we did and congratulated us on the decorations and the idea. Once the tent came down and everything was put away, we went down to the picnic tent and sat in on the closing ceremonies. A friend of mine called me over at one point and introduced me to former Gov. Johnson who struck me as a down to earth and reasonable man.

What has become clear to me after this experience is that we here in Vermont should try to tap into the experience, energy, and society of the Free State Project. They have a lot of real world experience to offer. In return, several of the FSP/New Hampshire Liberty Alliance Leadership I spoke to seemed very interested in working with us.

Overall, this weekend was a reaffirmation to me that liberty is not only popular, but it also can work in a real world. The four days of Porc Fest is a clear indication of this.

Also, as an FYI, the Porcupine Fest for next year has already been scheduled for June 23 through the 26th at Roger's Campground. You should make your reservations early as sites have already been reserved.

Porc Fest Blog Day Five/Six

Sorry for not posting on Thursday, but the action kicked off and I didn't get home until after midnight the last two nights.

Thursday morning started with setting up the Pavilion Tent and Canopy to make the "Vermont Campaign for Liberty Theater." Pictures to be posted on the meet up group when we get home. Next, we went our seperate ways, each family member following their own bliss. I went to a roleplaying workshop called "Pimp (practice makes perfect) my activism". This course covered a variety of different situation and scenarios in which an activist is confronted by the authorities and how to handle it. It was fun, challenging, and thought-provoking. I even returned for a second round of the course on Friday and got a whole new presceptive on it. Can't wait to share what I learned/discovered.

Then we went to a low buget/no budget marketing course. Unfortunately, the instructor was unable to make it due to being "unavoidably detained" in New York. So we went to the vendors booths and silent auction. Everything from silver coins to real estate agencies were there. Books, bumper stickers, rugs, hats, guns, t-shirts, and you name it was on display and for sale. Following that we went to the opening ceremonies. the picnic pavillion can hold one hundred people easy. The crowd in attendence was overflow and standing room only. The speakers (including special VTC4L friend, Chris Lawless) were energized as were the crowd.

In the afternoon it was a mobile grab fest as we walked around talking with anyone and everyone. One of the things you get use to at Porc Fest is perfect strangers walking up and hugging or giving you a handshake out of the blue. They then introduce themselves and your conversation is off. I am not exaggerating when I say that the atmosphere has a vibe about it. A sense of safety and belonging fueled by the knowledge that for this one little period in the year, you are surrounded by liberty minded people who share your ideals. I often say that in any Free State Project event, all attendees enter the safest place in the USA. Open carry is the rule and respect for the property of others is more than an expectation.

Thursday night Maria and I spent fine tuning the Theater and experimenting with the sound/projection system we brought. We also engaged many people at the site encouraging them to attend the movies. We did take some time to attend the Free Talk Live Broadcast in the Television room and got another chance to see internet radio in action. Already, the liberty- oriented online radio has exploded to become a series of networks. New Hampshire Liberty Radio is one example with programming coming out of New Hampshire (three regular daily programs and two programs that switch off and on.) and live feeds from national liberty broadcasters. Check it out at www.nhlibertyradio.com

On Friday I attended a Fully Informed Jury seminar with a panel of four activists who were reporting on their successes and future plans for community outreach. I then did my second session of Pimp my Activistism. I also had a long and enlightening talk with the Legislative Director for the NH Liberty Alliance. We talked about the differences between the workings of Vermont's and New Hampshire's legislative process and their method of creating legislative report cards. We then had a leave the campground briefly to drop my daughter off for an activism minicamp down in Randolph. When we got back Maria and I raced like mad to pop enough popcorn for the movies. When we arrived at the "theater" Hunter Melville was camped out front, basking in the aura. We talked for a while with each other and passers-by, and then when the sun set, we started the film, The Fountainhead. Three of our fellow campers joined us. All three were young (late teens and early twenties) and were very into the film.

That is one thing you immediately note about FSP gatherings. The demographics for the Liberty Movement in New Hampshire is a majority of young to middle aged people, almost an even split relative to the sexes, and a significant number (at least 25%) brought their children. This isn't a movement coming out of the nursing home. It is a movement with its roots firmly planted in the future. With their youth, knowledge, energy, and committment, it is hard not to believe that the future belongs to them, a future of liberty.

Now I have to run. I got to attend a seminar entitled "A world without Courts". I think I might have to sneak in on that one. Tonight is the second movie "V for Vendetta" and we have heard some buzz on the camp ground that interest is up for that one. Wish us luck.

Steven

Porc Fest Blog Day Four

It's 11:27 pm as I type this and I am exhausted. This is the only chance I had today to blog about the events of the next few days.

Today, we went sight seeing again with the girls and were gone just a few hours. When we got back, it was like a liberty tidal wave had hit Rogers. Free Staters/Libertarians were everywhere. Half of the sites were now occupied and even though the festivities were scheduled to start tomorrow, the party had already started.

In the Pavilion Hall, a crowd had gathered for some karaoke with performances varying based upon the amount of alcohol the performer had consumed. On Agora Alley (the main strip for vendors) several had already opened for business and were doing a steady trade. In the Television Room, Free Talk Live did their broadcast and down below in the field, a tent was set up (god knows who did it) and two games were in progress, Texas Hold em at one table and Black Jack at another. Walking through the campground several spontaneous parties were going on. Just about every other tent site had some discussion/debate going on. The Last Biscuit (an open air kitchen) had already started its 24-hour a day business. You need a chicken fried steak at 2 am, the Last Biscuit will make it and deliver to your site!!! Finally, the Free State Project's version of Jail and Bail called Prison Break was already advertising their most wanted celebrity fugitives with posters tacked up everywhere.

Tomorrow is just a few minutes away and I need my sleep. But like a kid on Christmas Eve, I can't wait for the morning to come. But unlike the usual Yule Tide experience, I already know what I well get come morning.

By the way, if you are planning to come to the Porc Fest, don't forget our movie nights on Friday and Saturday from 8 to 10 pm at tent site 81 We will be showing The Fountainhead (based upon Ayn Rand's novel of that name) and V for Vendetta. Also, if you are from Vermont, stop by the tent or give me a call when you arrive at 802-779-4447. Look forward to seeing you soon!

Porc Fest Blog Day Three

After posting last nights blog, the family and I listened to a rebroadcast of Free Talk Live, the liberty oriented radio program coming over the internet from Keene, NH (http://www.freetalklive.com/). During the program, a person from Michigan called in from the road. His name was Kurt. He and his wife were driving from Michigan straight to Lancaster, NH for the Porcupine Fest. A trip of 18 hours. Once the show concluded, we went to the local store to get additional supplies. While working my way through aisle one, I heard a voice say "Nice t-shirt". I had on my Ron Paul Revolution tee on at the time. I turned to the voice and found that he had on the Porc Fest 2008 T-shirt which was my first Porc Fest. "Back at yah!" I said and introduced myself. The tall gentleman replied that his name was Kurt and he was from Michigan! It turned out that he just pulled in from the road and was buying supplies for the week. He came with his concert ready sound equipment to be used by the musical acts playing at the festival. Soon his wife and Maria joined the conversation. Not long after, another Free Stater joined the discussion. For the next half hour we stood and talked about our respective states, the problems confronting each, and our hopes for liberty in our lifetime. Finally, our little gathering ended with handshakes and promises to talk again.

Today, we worked on the display for the VTC4L Tent, grilled up some wicked steaks, and took a couple of walks around the campground. My daughter and my niece both volunteered to help with the preparation for the Porcupine Fest and seemed quite excited by the behind the scenes activity they were involved in.

This evening, during our walk around the campground, we ran across a couple from Louisiana who was just setting up there tents. They had driven over two days to get here and were excited by the coming gala. They had brought along some tie-dye t-shirts and others odds and ends to sell. Their tent site was located next to the site of VTC4L tent and they were pleased to hear about our coming movie nights.

License plates from all over the country: Florida, North Carolina, Michigan, Missouri, and Texas have appeared at Roger's Campground. Impromptu restaurants, open air vendors, and even a raffle put on by an ammunition salesman have sprung up almost overnight. The list of activities scheduled for this years Porc Fest almost pales in comparison to the variety of "unofficial" stores, vendors, and exhibitors who have sprung up in the campground. It is not a stretch to say that this festival is a true representation of the diversity, spirit and self-organization of the liberty movement.

To learn more about what will be happening at this years Porc Fest check out their website at http://www.porcfest2010.com/

Porc Fest Blog Day Two

Many roads to the same destination.

A nice day today. Went sight seeing all the way down to Conway, NH. The family had a good time.

As part of this vacation I have been making it a point to read a book given to me at the Liberty Forum entitled "Secure the Blessings of Liberty" by Robert Jones, an attorney from out in the mid west. The book deals with the understanding of the Constitution and how accessible the document is. It is a very good and simple read and I highly recommend it to everyone regardless of education or background.

Another thing I am taking pains to do is listen to Free Talk Live over the internet. Free Talk Live broadcasts out of my home town of Keene, NH. The hosts are committed Free Staters and Libertarian Anarchists. Their show is interesting, challenging and unashamed. You rarely hear the topics and discussion they put on regularly anywhere else. They do a great job of presenting interesting and challenging libertarian topics to the general public.

Finally, at least once a day, I check my email. And as usual I am bombarded with notices and calls to action from the National C4L. Also, I have been monitoring several intense debates among Vermont Libertarians, some opaque and others more mundane. All were presented with passion, knowledge, and a lot of heat.

If any thing I can conclude from all of this, coupled with the upcoming liberty extravaganza that is the Porcupine Fest, is that their are many ways to achieve a common goal. As all roads lead to Paris, all sincere efforts of liberty minded people and enterprises lead to greater freedom, liberty, and citizenship. There is no magic bullet, no simple secret, no single path to a future of liberty. All fronts must be explored. All efforts equally legitimate as long as each carry the common goal and cause of liberty. We need not agree on the specifics or the methods, we only need to agree that what made our nation and the State of Vermont great was our cultural, social, and ethical committment to liberty, property and life.

There are many groups, organizations, and mediums striving to inform, empower and energize the forces for liberty. Each offering their own piece of the puzzle. Their own ideas to achieve our common goal. Their own resources to arm our common effort. Each are right in their own way and actions. Each has something to offer their fellow citizens.

But like all human endeavors, the tendency toward competition leads many like minded groups to fight amongst themselves. Sometimes the greatest enemy of any movement is the membership of that movement. Intense and protracted fights often erupt. These fights tend to be destructive of the overall effort and demoralizing to the membership of the movement. Many a good cause have become lost causes because of the evils of in-fighting.

For any movement, such as ours, to be successful, we will need to learn to agree to disagree and fight even harder to find or define the common ground we all share. In order to do this, it requires each member to engage their fellow members, to interact, discuss, debate, and most importantly listen to each other. It is through this process of interaction and discussion we define what it means to be Vermonters for Liberty.