Ben Franklin

1. May 2010/Benjamin Franklin: Benjamin Franklin was a statesman and an inventor. (Born January 17, 1706, Boston, Massachusetts.) Indeed, a very enterprising person for his time. Very creative and intelligent. His “dictums and maxims” were/are pithy, and catchy. One remembers them easily, and I have heard other speakers use some of the “dictums” in their writings/speeches. Yes, he was a statesman and an inventor. I take issue with the author of the article in that most of the credit for writing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution are given to George Washington, Franklin and Thomas Jefferson with being so important in rejecting the European model of aristocratic rule. The author was totally ignorant (or blatantly myopic, like me) of John Adams’ contributions to those important documents and the huge role his intellect and ideas played in the revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the form of government the new country should have, etc. I am sorry but I believe Adams was as, if not more, important as a founding father than any of the others mentioned. It is interesting also to note that Washington, Jefferson, nor Franklin could stand Adams and his idiosyncrasies, as if they were perfect and their characters devoid of any flaws or weaknesses. John Adams was fearless, and I, for one, salute him and admire his greatness. Thankfully, however, the appellation “Founding Fathers” is plural; not singular. It took all of them and not just one of them. The eye cannot say to the foot, “I have no need of thee.” Sometimes I tend to become rash in my statements and have to go back and clean up the train wrecks I create with my ideas, words, etc. But, at least I have an opportunity here in this forum to be so and I do appreciate any opinions or additions.