It was on this day in 1787 and Benjamin Franklin was leaving the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia (now called Independence Hall) where the Constitutional Convention members had just voted to approve the US Constitution—and to send-it-onward to the states to be ratified. Elizabeth Willing Powel, the wife of Philly's mayor, asked him, "Dr. Franklin, what sort of government have you given us?" Ben Franklin responded, "A republic madam, if you can keep it."
For 249 years, our democratic republic has served America admirably—certainly imperfectly at times, but (generally) improving with every passing decade. The alternative to a democratic republic would have been a monarchy—and the Founding Fathers decided that America must reject an entitled autocrat, gorging himself on plunder while enforcing The Divine Right of Kings. They knew that Liberty and Freedom require Democracy and Vigilance.
Today, America's Democracy (and Democratic Norms) has never looked so frayed. While our Democracy managed to hold-together through one threatening term, this second term has delivered a well-orchestrated, triple-barrel assault on Democracy by coordinated executive, legislative and judicial factions. Can American Democracy withstand such an overpowering, single-minded commitment to Authoritarianism?
Shown above, a collection of Red, White and Blue ceramic vessels, now available at LEO Design. Click on the photo above to learn more.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.