Making a Great America
Welcome to "Making a Great America," a podcast dedicated to exploring the meticulous thought and effort that went into the design of the Constitution of the United States.
This series is intended as a non-partisan historical review, aimed at enlightening listeners of all political persuasions about the foundational principles of our government. Our goal is to share the rich history behind the Constitution and the reasons why understanding this history is crucial for the survival of our republic.
During the fall of 1787 and the spring of 1788, three remarkable men—John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison—worked tirelessly to write a series of essays known as the Federalist Papers. These essays were crafted to convince the citizens of the newly independent states to ratify the Constitution, establishing a constitutional republic that balanced power and safeguarded liberties. Their efforts were instrumental in shaping the framework of the government we know today.
In "Making a Great America," we do not argue for or against any political position.
Instead, we aim to report history accurately, informatively, and with easy listening.
By delving into the writings and ideas of the Founding Fathers, we provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the Constitution's origins and the profound care taken to ensure a balanced and fair government. Our episodes are designed to be engaging and accessible, making complex historical concepts easy to grasp.
We believe that knowledge of our government and its creation is essential to its continued survival. As such, we encourage you to subscribe to our podcast and share it widely with friends, family, and colleagues. Together, let's foster a greater appreciation for the history that continues to shape our nation.
Benjamin Franklin explained to a curious woman after the continental congress finished about what kind of government was created.
His response: "A Republic . . . . IF you can keep it!"
Episodes
105 episodes
Federalist Paper #68: The Mode of Electing the President
In this essay, Hamilton explains the rationale behind the Electoral College as the method for selecting the President. He argues that it provides a safeguard against corruption and foreign influence by placing the power of election in the hands...
Federalist Paper #67: The Executive Department
In Federalist Paper No. 67, Alexander Hamilton addresses concerns about the scope of executive power, particularly focusing on the President’s authority. Critics feared that the President would have the ability to unilaterally appoint off...
Anti-Federalist Papers - The Arguments Against the Legislative Branch Provisions
The Anti-Federalists argued that the proposed legislative branch would concentrate too much power at the federal level, weakening state authority and endangering individual freedoms. They believed that Congress, especially with its taxing...
Federalist Paper #66: Objections to the Power of the Senate as a Court of Impeachment Further Considered
In Federalist Paper No. 66, Alexander Hamilton addresses criticisms of the Senate’s role in impeachment trials. Critics worried that the Senate would have too much power by acting as both a legislative body and a court of impeachment. Ham...
Federalist Paper #65: The Powers of the Senate (continued) — Impeachment
Federalist Paper No. 65, written by Alexander Hamilton, focuses on the Senate’s role in conducting impeachment trials. Hamilton argues that impeachment is a necessary tool for holding public officials accountable for misconduct, especiall...
Federalist Paper #64: The Powers of the Senate
In Federalist Paper No. 64, John Jay discusses the Senate’s role in treaty-making. He argues that the Senate, working with the President, is best suited to negotiate and approve treaties due to its stability and expertise. Senators’ six-y...
Federalist Paper #63: The Senate (continued)
In Federalist Paper No. 63, James Madison continues his defense of the Senate, emphasizing its importance in providing a longer-term perspective in governance. The Senate’s ability to act as a safeguard against popular passions ensures th...
Federalist Paper #62: The Senate
Federalist Paper No. 62, written by James Madison, discusses the qualifications and structure of the Senate. Madison highlights that Senators must have more experience and serve longer terms than Representatives, ensuring greater stabilit...
Federalist Paper #61: Concerning the Power of Congress to Regulate the Election of Members (continued)
In Federalist Paper No. 61, Alexander Hamilton argues in favor of giving Congress the authority to regulate the time, place, and manner of elections for the House of Representatives. He emphasizes the need for uniformity in election proce...
Federalist Paper #60: Ensuring Fair Representation: The Dangers of Electoral Discrimination
Hamilton continues the discussion on the federal government’s power to regulate elections, addressing concerns that Congress could use this power to favor certain economic or social classes. He argues that the system of checks and balance...
Federalist Paper #59: Regulating Elections: The Balance Between National and State Control
Alexander Hamilton shifts focus to the federal government’s authority over congressional elections. He argues that it is essential for the national government to have the power to regulate elections in order to preserve the Union and ensu...
Federalist Paper #58: Objection That The Number of Members Will Not Be Augmented as the Progress of Population Demands
Madison defends the equality of representation between small and large states in the House of Representatives. He explains that while larger states will have more representatives, the smaller states are protected by the equal representati...
Anti-Federalist Paper: - Mercy Otis Warren's "Observations on the New Constitution"
Mercy Otis Warren's essay "Observations on the New Constitution" critiques the proposed U.S. Constitution from an Anti-Federalist perspective. She warns against the concentration of power in a strong central government, fearing it coul...
Federalist Paper #57: The Alleged Tendency of the New Plan to Elevate the Few at the Expense of the Many
Madison addresses concerns that the House of Representatives could become a body of elites disconnected from the general population. He argues that the frequent elections ensure that representatives will remain closely tied to the interes...
Federalist Paper #56: The Same Subject Continued: The Total Number of the House of Representatives
Madison continues discussing the House's size and defends its ability to effectively represent the people. Critics feared that the House, with relatively few representatives, would not be able to understand and manage the needs of the div...
Federalist Paper #55: The Total Number of the House of Representatives
Madison examines the size of the House of Representatives, defending it against critics who argue that it is either too small to represent the people effectively or too large to be practical. He contends that the current size is sufficien...
Federalist Paper #54: The Apportionment of Members Among the States
Madison addresses the contentious issue of how slaves should be counted for the purposes of both representation and taxation. He explains the three-fifths compromise, which counts slaves as three-fifths of a person, arguing that this arra...
Federalist Paper #53: The Same Subject Continued: The House of Representatives
Madison continues to defend biennial elections for the House of Representatives, countering critics who advocate for annual elections. He argues that two-year terms strike a balance between allowing representatives the time needed to beco...
Federalist Paper #52: The House of Representatives
James Madison discusses the structure of the House of Representatives, emphasizing the importance of regular elections to maintain a close connection between the representatives and the people. He defends the two-year term length, explain...
Federalist Paper #51: James Madison's Vision of Checks and Balances in American Government
Is the essence of our government rooted in the fact that humans are not angels? Join me, Charlie Jett, as we unravel the thought-provoking insights of James Madison in Federalist Paper No. 51. This episode of Making a Great America promises an ...
Federalist #50: The Ineffectiveness of Periodic Appeals to the People
Federalist No. 50, written by James Madison, continues the discussion on whether periodic appeals to the people, through conventions, are effective in addressing constitutional violations. Madison examines historical examples where such convent...
Federalist #49: The Risks of Frequent Constitutional Conventions
Federalist No. 49, written by James Madison, addresses the idea proposed by Thomas Jefferson of allowing the people to convene conventions to correct constitutional breaches. Madison argues against frequent constitutional conventions, warning t...
Federalist #48: The Need for Checks and Balances to Maintain Separation of Powers
Federalist No. 48, written by James Madison, emphasizes the need for a system of checks and balances within the government to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. Madison argues that merely defining the separate powers of the exe...
Federalist Paper #47: The Essential Balance of Separation and Interdependence in Government Powers
Federalist No. 47, written by James Madison, defends the proposed U.S. Constitution's structure by emphasizing the necessity of separating governmental powers while allowing for some overlap. He argues that this blend, supported by checks and b...
Federalist Paper #46: The Influence of the State and Federal Governments Compared
Federalist Paper #46, written by James Madison, argues that the state and federal governments have distinct but complementary powers designed to serve the people. Madison emphasizes that the people’s loyalty to their state governments, coupled ...