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Whence the virtue needed for American constitutionalism: Reason, faith, or commercial self-interest?

Whence the virtue needed for American constitutionalism: Reason, faith, or commercial self-interest?

Adam J. MacLeod

I am glad that Rob called attention to the recent debate between John McGinnis and Robert George regarding John Adams' famous proposition that our Constitution is designed for a moral and religious people and wholly inadequate for the governance of any other. Helpfully, both professors have published written versions of their respective contributions to the debate, George at Public Discourse and McGinnis in three parts at the Library of Law & Liberty (one, two, and three). These are two towering intellects, both men of good faith and unusual ability who share an appetite for acquiring knowledge and an obvious, mutual respect.

The timing of this debate is likely not an accident. Alarm at the lack of civic virtue in America, particularly among young adults, is running high at present. Underlying this concern is a consensus that virtue is important. At the very least, constitutionalism cannot function without pervasive lawfulness.

The enrichment of Bill and Hillary Clinton Part III
Blogs

The enrichment of Bill and Hillary Clinton Part III

Boston Patriot

A Political Slush Fund called The Clinton Foundation

The Clinton Foundation was founded in 2001 with the mission to "strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence" — whatever that means. Over the past decade, the Clinton Foundation has undoubtedly done some good work combating AIDS suffering, reducing obesity and promoting economic growth, but the problem is that Bill and Hillary Clinton have used the moral authority gained from these good works to feather their own nest, use their power to help their friends achieve their own objectives, and affect U.S. policy. As Peter Schweizer writes in his groundbreaking, "Clinton Cash" — a tour de force with 57 pages of footnotes, "the real problem is delineating where the Clinton political machine and moneymaking ventures end and where their charity begins." An article in Fortune magazine described the Clinton Foundation as "a new turn in philanthropy, in which the lines between not-for-profits, politics, and business tend to blur."

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