When should America step in abroad—and when should we hold the line? We open with Nigeria and the persecution of Christians, unpacking the hard tradeoffs between humanitarian outrage and constitutional guardrails. We weigh the tools that can move regimes without war—credible threats, sanctions, aid leverage, quiet diplomacy—and the times when defending American lives, ships, and commerce must take priority. Using the Barbary pirates and the French Quasi-War as guides, we lay out a practical test for “American interest” that avoids isolationism without drifting into endless entanglements.
From there, we zoom out to the role of government itself. Individuals and churches are called to forgive; civil authority is tasked with justice. That distinction matters for foreign policy and domestic order alike. We connect it to the Constitution’s enumerated powers and the Founders’ warnings about entangling alliances, showing how a clear mission for government keeps compassion meaningful and justice consistent.
We also tackle federalism’s missing guardrail: the 17th Amendment. By turning senators into a super House elected by popular vote, the states lost their direct voice in Washington. Could repeal or reform restore a check on federal overreach? We sketch realistic paths forward and explain why education must come first—because lasting change follows informed citizens. Finally, we correct the record on the slave trade: Denmark’s 1792 ban took effect in 1803, placing it first; the U.S. ranks second with full enforcement, and England third after a delay. Facts matter, and better history makes for better civics.
If this conversation sharpened your thinking, share it with a friend, subscribe for more Foundations of Freedom, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Your feedback helps bring more people into thoughtful, fact-driven civic dialogue.
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