U.S. History

Grover Cleveland fought to restore honesty and impartiality to government, particularly by eliminating government favors. He tried, though unsuccessfully, to eliminate protective tariffs.

Washington loves the analogy—-and reality—-of war. Adam Young considers one of the most famous uses of that term, the War on Poverty. It was in reality, a State-sponsored war on the opportunities of the poor and on all Americans.

Following Lott's public flogging, many people were astonished by the Senator's willingness to jettison all political principle for the sake of saving his status as Majority Leader. Why would a conservative Republican suddenly find himself embracing the full panoply of the left-wing racial agenda and criticize himself so mercilessly?

Few remember the reasons why the Federalists opposed the Bill of Rights, or why the Antifederalists (opponents of giving new power to the federal government) insisted that the new government be bound by them. However, since that debate still provides the basis for upholding our rights against federal assault, it remains as relevant today as two centuries ago. 

Murray Rothbard had a remarkable ability to throw unexpected light on historical controversies. Again and again in his work, he pointed out factors that earlier authors had overlooked. 

Paul Gottfried has seen an aspect of multiculturalism and political correctness that previous critics of these doctrines have failed adequately to stress. 

Tom DiLorenzo is well able to look out for himself, but one comment in Ken Masugi's review of his book on Lincoln merits our attention. 

Does business run on greed?

Professor Stephen Tonsor said of John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton that "it is a pity that American historians so rarely read him."  And it is hard to dispute that conclusion. Lord Acton's collected works, writes Gary Galles, provide us with plenty of wisdom, now all but forgotten.

Will Rogers' sense of humor can help keep our spirit of liberty alive by openly ridiculing what is in fact ridiculous about how government really operates. His humor gave free rein to his First Amendment freedom to criticize our government--using his wit, and the threat of public embarrassment that went with it--to keep politicians and bureaucrats in their place.