George Washington

On President's day it's important to remember our greatest President, George Washington. Washington knew that the Presidency gave him tremendous power, but he chose to not use that executive power and let the nation develop its own markets and institutions. That standard stood for 145 years and has been on the decline since. The New Hampshire Union Leader has some George Washington quotes, this one is my favorite.

"It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres; avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another."

The first President really did understand the beauty of separation of powers. It's too bad that the separation is withering away.

Also, George Washington understood what immigration could and does mean to this country.

"The bosom of America is open to receive not only the opulent and respectable stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all nations and religions; whom we shall wellcome to a participation of all our rights and previleges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment."

Unfortunately for us, we have allowed the government to install systemic barriers to entry for just the type of immigrant that Washington sought. Because of minimum wage laws, welfare and Social Security, the government has some interest in not allowing some people to get these benefits. That interest shows up as walls and checkpoints trying to keep immigrants out even though there is lots of work for immigrants, unfortunately that work must be done for lower than the minimum wage.

What I think is most sad, not only would George Washington not get elected in this day and age, he would be laughed out of the building for saying these things.