We Hold These Truths
What to know: MS NOW—the news channel formerly known as MSNBC—is shocked to learn that Americans believe their rights come from God, not government.
The TPPF take: The Declaration’s second paragraph — the most famous sentence in American political history — says Americans are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”
“This is not decorative language,” says TPPF’s Tom Linsday. “It is the philosophical heart of our country. As Lincoln taught with unmatched clarity, the American Founding rests on the proposition that there exists a higher law — the law of nature and of nature’s God — that precedes and limits all human governments. Rights are not grants from the state, products of majority will, or evolving social constructs.
For more on rights, click here.
A Ballroom Dance
What to know: Some Republicans are joining Democrats in attempting to block President Donald Trump’s construction of a White House ballroom.
The TPPF take: Critics mock the new White House ballroom, but modern security is no joke.
“The reality is that our nation’s security has changed. Risks have evolved, and today’s threats are far more sophisticated than they were even a decade ago,” says TPPF’s Brett Tolman. “The White House Ballroom will address those challenges directly by creating a controlled, secure venue for official gatherings, mitigating unnecessary risk for everyone in attendance.”
For more on the ballroom, click here.
Cultural Literacy
What to know: The Texas State Board of Education will soon consider a reading list for public schools that includes some Bible stories. The media is aghast.
The TPPF take: It’s about cultural literacy.
Texas public schools have failed at both teaching students literacy and protecting them from inappropriate content,” says TPPF’s Matthew McCormick. “The Texas Legislature instructed the State Board of Education to create a required reading list to ensure that every public school student graduates literate and knowledgeable. Under this new literature list, Texas students will read age-appropriate books that depict valuable moral lessons, contextual knowledge, and perspectives on our nation’s history.”
For more on cultural literacy, click here.