Nebraska Democrats Remove Portraits From Capitol

Last month, Nebraska’s Democratic state senators made a decision to take down portraits from an exhibit in the Capitol in Lincoln. This exhibit, created by PragerU, was intended to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary by showcasing portraits of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and notable women.

The state’s Republican governor expressed disappointment over the action, stating, “Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary should be a moment of unity and patriotism, not divisive and destructive partisan conflict.” He went on to call the removal a “shameful and selfish example.”

There’s a broader narrative at play here. In 1927, historians Charles and Mary Beard presented the American Revolution as primarily driven by economic self-interest, challenging the views of many that framed it as a battle for ideals. Fast forward nearly a century, and the focus seems to have shifted from economic critiques to moral condemnations. This evolution portrays slavery as the “original sin” of America’s founding, a perspective shared by various influential voices today.

For instance, in recent discussions, Senator Bernie Sanders remarked on America being largely “created” on what he described as “racist principles.” Meanwhile, The New York Times has supported an initiative suggesting that America’s true founding occurred in 1619, with the arrival of the first enslaved Africans, reframing the revolution not just as a fight against tyranny but also in defense of slavery’s economic benefits.

Then came the turmoil of 2020, where monuments to figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were vandalized amid protests, with messages such as “You are on Indigenous land” emblazoned on them.

My new book, focused on a fictional interpretation involving the Founding Fathers, explores these discussions through comedic reenactments. Characters like Ben Franklin inadvertently engage with modern societal norms, while George Washington finds himself with dental work. There’s humor, yes, but the underlying questions remain serious: Has America truly become what the Founders envisioned? I aim to present evidence that counters some contemporary critiques, illustrating how the founders believed they were empowering Americans to pursue their dreams, free from British control and economic burdens.

The book features pivotal moments as Thomas Jefferson and his contemporaries learn about movements to cancel monuments dedicated to them. Franklin reflects on the disturbing reality: “I’m beginning to wonder if they’re not trying to discredit us as human beings as much as they’re discrediting what we’ve accomplished,” hinting at a deeper crisis regarding the nation’s foundational ideals.

Jefferson’s original declaration emphasized that rights are divine gifts, not merely human inventions. Interestingly, he also criticized Britain for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, though this section was omitted due to fears of conflict just before the war.

It’s essential to remember that while the founders lived amidst contradictions, they articulated principles that offered future generations a framework to challenge injustices like slavery. Today, some view these principles as mere facades for wrongdoing rather than as guiding constraints.

The recent unrest in cities, particularly relating to federal immigration policies, raises alarms about the nation’s trajectory—reminding us of a fraught era when states positioned themselves against the Union. This historical echo serves as both a warning and a clarion call to restore the constitutional bonds that were meant to hold the nation together, even amidst divisions.