“But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations… This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.” – John Adams

It’s the fourth of July and we’re celebrating the birth of our nation. In a moment of retrospection, it struck me that the founders of our nation were brilliant in how the crafted the heart and framework of the United States of America.

• They were careful strategic planners. First, the created a vision of the future with the Declaration of Independence.. Then they followed that up with a strategic framework – the Constitution. They left most of the tactics to those who would have to do the work.
• They acknowledged the need for change. They were true try it/test it/fix it thinkers, establishing the concept of amendments to the constitution in Article V.
• They knew they needed teamwork. It wasn’t always pretty, with plenty of disagreement, but the founders worked together to craft the Declaration and Constitution. In fact, while the Constitution was written in 1787, it was ratified by the necessary 9 states the next year. The very design of a bicameral government, with three parts to the governing (Executive/Congressional/Justice) showed that they didn’t want a monarchy or dictatorship to be possible. They knew it would take a team of people to make the government work. That may be why there were around 55 people were involved in the drafting of the information.

There’s a lot more to the Declaration and Constitution of course, but it’s interesting to me how the brilliance of these few people who drafted our future so long ago. It’s such a good model it even works for us today. And administering the Constitution can still not be a pretty site.

Have a very happy 4th and think about how difficult it was for those brilliant people to create something that lasted so long.