benjamin franklin Archives

BOLDIN: Benjamin Franklin’s Forgotten Rules

November 2, 2026 Michael Boldin

How to Bring Down an Empire “Empires, by Pride & Folly & Extravagance, ruin themselves like Individuals” Benjamin Franklin knew the pattern all through history: Collapse is self-inflicted. In 1773, he wrote a masterpiece of biting satire detailing 20 rules for how a great empire destroys itself from within. The formula is simple: make the … Read more

BOLDIN: Government Welfare Makes Things Worse

September 12, 2026 Michael Boldin

Benjamin Franklin’s Forgotten Warning “Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” That was James Madison, explaining that the modern federal welfare state is not authorized by the Constitution. Despite that, politicians today still insist that these programs aren’t just authorized; they’re also absolutely necessary to help people. But they ignore the … Read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Timeless Guide to Life, Liberty, and Frugality

December 29, 2024 Mike Maharrey

On Dec. 28, 1732, at just 27 years of age, Benjamin Franklin published the first edition of Poor Richard’s Almanac. He went on to publish it annually for 25 years, and it garnered him wealth and fame. It also played a big part in elevating him to the status of “the first American.” The Almanac was published under the … Read more

Benjamin Franklin Speech Exposes the Inherent Danger of Power and Money

June 7, 2023 Op-Ed

On June 2, 1787, Benjamin Franklin delivered a speech at the Philadelphia Convention opposing a provision in the proposed Constitution to pay the president a salary. The speech reveals some important aspects of human nature that we should keep in mind today. Franklin submitted a change to the proposed Constitution stipulating that instead of paying … Read more

Hillary takes-a-village-quote Parents have a Secondary role

“Remind Schools That Parents Are The Client”

June 5, 2023 Op-Ed

Those standing in opposition to school choice fail to understand the reason parents decide to remove their kids from the public school system. It is not because these parents want to abuse their children in secret, it is not because they are helicopter parents, it is not because they desire to run and buy a … Read more

Cartoon: Let Us Reforge Liberty…

September 13, 2022 NITZAKHON

So, to those who care, the home crisis seems to have passed for the better. I am hopeful this will continue. Certain fundamental issues have not been fully resolved – but given what seems to be coming, and right soon, I’ll take what I can get for as long as I can. The world is … Read more

Creating a Preference Tsunami

October 12, 2021 NITZAKHON

In a recent Quick Takes post I had, as the third item, three Bill Whittle videos all about conformity and brainwashing and how we often subsume our own independence to “go along to get along” with the crowd.