Without education, we are weaker economically. Without economic power, we are weaker in terms of national security. No great military power has ever remained so without great economic power. Jon Meacham economiceconomicallyeducation Change image and share on social
It would be great if politics were fact-based, but it is not, and it is surely not nuance-based. What works in a classroom or a think tank does not work on Capitol Hill or in the White House. Obama sometimes seems to be running the Brookings Institution, not the country. Jon Meacham basebrookingcapitol share on social
It is true that traditional Christianity is losing some of its appeal among Americans, but that is a religious, not political, matter. It is worth remembering that the Jeffersonian 'wall of separation' between church and state has always been intended to protect the church from the state as much as the state from the church. Jon Meacham americanappealchristianity share on social
Only the most unapologetic biblical fundamentalists, for instance, take every biblical injunction literally. If we all took all scripture at the same level of authority, then we would be more open to slavery, to the subjugation of women, to wider use of stoning. Jesus himself spoke out frequently against divorce in the strongest of terms. Jon Meacham authoritybiblicaldivorce share on social
World War II ended the Great Depression with one of the great public-private industrial collaborations in the history of man. Jon Meacham collaborationdepressionend Change image and share on social
History tells us that America does best when the private sector is energetic and entrepreneurial and the government is attentive and engaged. Who among us, really, would, looking back, wish to edit out either sphere at the entire expense of the other? Jon Meacham americaattentiveback share on social
The power of the American system of republicanism lies in its capacity to allow religious belief to be a competing, not a controlling, factor in American life. Jon Meacham americanbeliefcapacity Change image and share on social
The lesson of the Clinton years and of Obama's win of both the nomination and the general election in 2008 is that Democrats need to be as tough as JFK was. Jon Meacham clintondemocratelection Change image and share on social
Incumbent White House parties have won 10 of the last 18 presidential elections; the odds are tight, but they favor Obama in 2012. And so gloomy Democrats, check your despair; gleeful Republicans, watch the hubris. Jon Meacham checkdemocratdespair share on social
One of the earliest resurrection scenes in the Bible is that of Thomas demanding evidence - he wanted to see, to touch, to prove. Those who question and probe and debate are heirs of the apostles just as much as the most fervent of believers. Jon Meacham apostlebelieverbible share on social