It is time

With the Texas border standoff unfolding, it's the perfect time to finally start the constitutional substack and book club I've been dreaming about.

Welcome to “A Republic, If You Can Keep It.”

THE GREATEST INTRUSION ON CIVIL LIBERTIES IN THE PEACETIME HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY

In the words of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, “[s]ince March 2020, we may have experienced the greatest intrusions on civil liberties in the peacetime history of this country.”

I studied US history in public school and majored in International Relations in college (a mashup of political science and international studies). I’ve always been interested in how government works. But until 2020, the concepts seemed abstract. The powdered wigs and Old English prose weren’t very relatable.

After my government locked my kids out of school, ordered me to stay in my home, and imposed incessant emergency orders controlling every detail of my daily life, I now understand why Americans must have at least a basic understanding of our founding documents. My kids were miserable, I was miserable, I couldn’t work because I had three tiny children at home, I lost my income, and none of my elected officials would take my call. Not only were my elected officials ignoring me, but they were constantly flouting their own orders (Newsom’s French Laundry, Garcetti held his breath, Pelosi’s secret hair appointment, Kuehl dining out, the Getty wedding… I could go on).

@TheKevinDalton https://x.com/TheKevinDalton/status/1552052782722473984?s=20

And after our overlords flouted the law, they treated us with complete disdain, as if we were filthy peasants to be controlled and ignored. Something in my brain chemistry changed, and I became obsessed with restoring liberty in America. Watching the government harm your kids while laughing in your face will do that do a person.

MY HARDWIRED LOVE FOR LIBERTY

As I dug into our founding documents and my own family’s history, I learned that my ancestors—four Hamill brothers from County Antrim, Ireland—came to this country in the 1700s to fight in the Revolutionary War. My dad is the youngest of four Hamill brothers who grew up in the San Fernando valley, descendants of this original band of revolutionary brothers from Ireland. I guess you could say my love for liberty is hardwired in my genes.

Long story short, I am launching this substack along with a virtual book club because I think it is necessary at this volatile time in our nation’s history. It is time to educate the masses about why this country was founded in the first place, and to develop a basic proficiency in America’s founding documents and concepts. What do they say, what do they mean, and how do we apply them today?

IGNORE ELITE GATEKEEPERS OF THE CONSTITUTION

You don’t have to be scared of constitutional law. You shouldn’t have to be Ivy League-educated to understand the founding documents and how to use them. It’s time for average Americans to get into the game and restore our government to what it was supposed to be, by the people, for the people—a necessary evil for the very limited purpose of providing liberty and security. We have a democratic republic now, but in the words of Benjamin Franklin, only if we can keep it. It requires the constant attention and devotion of all citizens.

SUBSCRIBE FOR NOTIFICATIONS AND VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB

I will be posting a syllabus containing the founding documents in chronological order. I plan to have a bi-weekly virtual book club meeting to discuss via Twitter Spaces, followed up with a post here. You can choose to participate and speak in the Spaces, or just listen. I’ll post the recording link here so those who couldn’t participate live can listen to the discussion.

The intent is to make the Constitution and our founding documents accessible to all, to discuss them at a very basic level so that a child can understand. I am a massive nerd and cannot wait to get started. I’d love to get your feedback, so please leave a comment here, Tweet at me, or message me with your thoughts.