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Coolidge was a character who became known for saying and doing nothing.  He rejected regulations to control the economic boom, and denied funding for farmers to help their depressed conditions.  His first message to Congress in late 1923 was to limit aid to farmers, withdraw the nation from foreign conflicts, and cut taxes.  His popularity increased and he won reelection with 54% of the vote, taking credit for "Coolidge prosperity."

Coolidge was a character who became known for saying and doing nothing.  He rejected regulations to control the economic boom, and denied funding for farmers to help their depressed conditions.  His first message to Congress in late 1923 was to limit aid to farmers, withdraw the nation from foreign conflicts, and cut taxes.  His popularity increased and he won reelection with 54% of the vote, taking credit for "Coolidge prosperity."

Coolidge became known for his laconic style of few words.  A young woman at a social event whispered to Coolidge's wife that the woman would start a conversation with Coolidge such that Coolidge would say at least three words.  Coolidge must have overheard the whisper, because he then said, "You lose."  In 1928, Coolidge lived up to his reputation by giving the following statement to an anxious public, "I do not choose to run for President in 1928."  That was it.  In the 1980s conservative President Ronald Reagan infuriated liberals by finding a portrait of Coolidge in the White House attic and prominently displaying it along with George Washington and other famous presidents.

Coolidge became known for his laconic style of few words.  A young woman at a social event whispered to Coolidge's wife that the woman would start a conversation with Coolidge such that Coolidge would say at least three words.  Coolidge must have overheard the whisper, because he then said, "You lose."  In 1928, Coolidge lived up to his reputation by giving the following statement to an anxious public, "I do not choose to run for President in 1928."  That was it.  In the 1980s conservative President Ronald Reagan infuriated liberals by finding a portrait of Coolidge in the White House attic and prominently displaying it along with George Washington and other prominent presidents.

Notwithstanding Coolidge's lack of words, the rest of the nation was saying and doing a great deal.  American authors wrote tragedies about wealth (by F. Scott Fitzgerald), business and religion (by Sinclair Lewis), and war (by Ernest Hemingway).  William Faulkner became one of America's most acclaimed novelists by writing during 1929-1932 the books "Sound & Fury," "As I Lay Dying," "Sanctuary," and "Light in August."  Liberals particularly liked Faulkner because he described the Christian South as poor and racist.  Eugene O'Neill was a playwright who became the second American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature for in 1936; he was praised for bringing psychological realism to his plays.

Notwithstanding Coolidge's lack of words, the rest of the nation was saying and doing a great deal.  American authors wrote tragedies about wealth (by F. Scott Fitzgerald), business and religion (by Sinclair Lewis), and war (by Ernest Hemingway).  William Faulkner became one of America's most acclaimed novelists by writing during 1929-1932 the books "Sound & Fury," "As I Lay Dying," "Sanctuary," and "Light in August."  Liberals particularly liked Faulkner because he described the Christian South as poor and racist.  Eugene O'Neill was a playwright who became the second American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature for in 1936; he was praised for bringing psychological realism to his plays.

Patton was given the task of taking on the Germany's greatest field commander, Erwin Rommel ("The Desert Fox").  Rommel had completely destroyed the British in Northern Africa and Patton was sent there in 1942 with his tanks to see what he could do.

Patton was given the task of taking on the Germany's greatest field commander, Erwin Rommel ("The Desert Fox").  Rommel had completely destroyed the British in Northern Africa and Patton was sent there in 1942 with his tanks to see what he could do.

Patton, with his famous aggression, boldly went right at Rommel's army and completely decimated it.  Rommel had no choice but to flee back to Europe and allow Patton to free Northern Africa from German control.  From this "African campaign" Patton then went up to Italy in 1943, and liberated Sicily.  Historians describe Patton's efforts as "cutting through the German defenders like a hot knife through butter."<ref name="Patton">http://military-leaders.suite 101.com/article.cfm/us_general_george_patton</ref>

Patton, with his aggression, boldly went right at Rommel's army and completely decimated it.  Rommel had no choice but to flee back to Europe and allow Patton to free Northern Africa from German control.  From this "African campaign" Patton then went up to Italy in 1943, and liberated Sicily.  Historians describe Patton's efforts as "cutting through the German defenders like a hot knife through butter."<ref name="Patton">http://military-leaders.suite 101.com/article.cfm/us_general_george_patton</ref>

Patton was unrelenting in his fighting against the otherwise invincible German Army.  Historians estimate that Patton's Third Army caused an astounding 55% of all of Germany's causalities in the war, while Patton's own men suffered only 9% of the losses on our side.<ref name="Patton"/>

Patton was unrelenting in his fighting against the otherwise invincible German Army.  Historians estimate that Patton's Third Army caused an astounding 55% of all of Germany's causalities in the war, while Patton's own men suffered only 9% of the losses on our side.<ref name="Patton"/>

After the war, in 1947, President Truman instituted Loyalty Boards to check on government employees to ensure they were not communists attempting to overthrow our form of government.

After the war, in 1947, President Truman instituted Loyalty Boards to check on government employees to ensure they were not communists attempting to overthrow our form of government.

From 1948 through 1950, a young congressman (and future president) named Richard Nixon held hearings for the House Un-American Activities Committee, which investigated communists who had infiltrated government and Hollywood.  The most famous hearings concerned the investigation into Alger Hiss, one of FDR's top aides who continued to hold key positions in government and decision-making.  Hiss dramatically denied that he was a communist, but it was later proven that he was.  The Committee also investigated the "Hollywood Ten" to try to root out communism in Hollywood.

From 1948 through 1950, a young congressman (and future president) named Richard Nixon held hearings for the House Un-American Activities Committee, which investigated communists who had infiltrated government and Hollywood.  The most important hearings concerned the investigation into Alger Hiss, one of FDR's top aides who continued to hold key positions in government and decision-making.  Hiss dramatically denied that he was a communist, but it was later proven that he was.  The Committee also investigated the "Hollywood Ten" to try to root out communism in Hollywood.

Alger Hiss was exposed by Whittaker Chambers, a former homosexual communist who found Jesus, married, started a family, and then testified against Hiss.  Chambers, a writer for Time magazine, described in vivid detail his communications and meetings with Hiss, yet Hiss denied it with equal vigor at the hearings.  At times Hiss had the better of the congressmen in the hearing, as when he as presented with a picture of Chambers for identification purposes.  Hiss said it resembled many people, including one of the congressmen on the committee!  The crowd roared with laughter at the expense of the committee, including Nixon himself.  Nixon was furious, and he intensely disliked the wealthier and more urbane Hiss.  In contrast, Nixon trusted Chambers; they were both Quakers.

Alger Hiss was exposed by Whittaker Chambers, a former homosexual communist who converted to Christianity, married, started a family, and then testified against Hiss.  Chambers, a writer for ''Time'' magazine, described in vivid detail his communications and meetings with Hiss, yet Hiss denied it with equal vigor at the hearings.  At times Hiss had the better of the congressmen in the hearing, as when he as presented with a picture of Chambers for identification purposes.  Hiss said it resembled many people, including one of the congressmen on the committee!  The crowd roared with laughter at the expense of the committee, including Nixon himself.  Nixon was furious, and he intensely disliked the wealthier and more urbane Hiss.  In contrast, Nixon trusted Chambers; they were both Quakers.

Chambers had informed the committee about how Hiss was a bird-watcher who once saw a rare prothonatory warbler while walking along the Potomac River in D.C.  The committee asked Hiss about whether he had seen such an unusual bird.  Anxious to show off, Hiss bragged about he had seen this rare bird one morning along the Potomac River.  That convinced the committee that Hiss was exactly who Chambers said Hiss was:  a lying communist.

Chambers had informed the committee about how Hiss was a bird-watcher who once saw a rare prothonotory warbler while walking along the Potomac River in D.C.  The committee asked Hiss about whether he had seen such an unusual bird.  Anxious to show off, Hiss bragged about he had seen this rare bird one morning along the Potomac River.  That convinced the committee that Hiss was exactly who Chambers said Hiss was:  a lying communist.

In another dramatic moment, Chambers recalled that he had received secret documents from Hiss on microfilm, which Chambers had hidden inside pumpkins on his farm in rural Maryland.  Nixon actually drove out to the farm with Chambers and opened up the pumpkins to find microfilm just as Chambers said.  Chambers, a brilliant writer, also penned a book about his life as a communist called "Witness", which remains a classic to this day and students may find it fascinating.

In another dramatic moment, Chambers recalled that he had received secret documents from Hiss on microfilm, which Chambers had hidden inside pumpkins on his farm in rural Maryland.  Nixon actually drove out to the farm with Chambers and opened up the pumpkins to find microfilm just as Chambers said.  Chambers, a brilliant writer, also penned a book about his life as a communist called "Witness", which remains a classic to this day and students may find it fascinating.

Eventually Hiss was convicted of perjury (lying during his testimony), and served five years in jail.  He maintained his innocence for the rest of his life but when communism ended in the Soviet Union and documents about spies were released in the 1990s (the Venona project), it was proven that Hiss was indeed a communist spy.  Democratic Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan concluded in a special government investigation in the late 1990s, "Hiss was indeed a Soviet agent and appears to have been regarded by Moscow as its most important."<ref>Moynihan, Daniel Patrick (1998). Secrecy: The American Experience. Yale University Press, pp. 145-147. ISBN 0-300-08079-4.</ref>  The cause of Hiss's communism appeared to be this:  he fell in with the communist movement after marrying a communist woman who was unrepentant after having an abortion.<ref>http://www.firstprinciplesjournal.com/articles.aspx?article=777&theme=hiedu&page=2&loc=b&type=cttf</ref>

Eventually Hiss was convicted of perjury (lying during his testimony), and served five years in jail.  He maintained his innocence for the rest of his life but when communism ended in the Soviet Union and documents about spies were released in the 1990s (the Venona project), it was proven that Hiss was indeed a communist spy.  Democratic Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan concluded in a special government investigation in the late 1990s, "Hiss was indeed a Soviet agent and appears to have been regarded by Moscow as its most important."<ref>Moynihan, Daniel Patrick (1998). Secrecy: The American Experience. Yale University Press, pp. 145-147. ISBN 0-300-08079-4.</ref>  The cause of Hiss's communism appeared to be this:  he fell in with the communist movement after marrying a communist woman who was unrepentant after having an abortion.<ref>http://www.firstprinciplesjournal.com/articles.aspx?article=777&theme=hiedu&page=2&loc=b&type=cttf</ref>

In the 1950s, another controversial trial was the conviction of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg for selling atomic bomb secrets to the Soviet Union.  They were executed.  For decades some defended the Rosenbergs and asserted their innocence, but in September 2008 the co-conspirator Morton Sobell, age 91, admitted to the New York Times that Julius really was guilty.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/nyregion/12spy.html?em</ref>  He also confirmed the view of historians that Ethel knew about the conspiracy but was not an active participant.

In the 1950s, another controversial trial was the conviction of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg for selling atomic bomb secrets to the Soviet Union.  They were executed.  For decades some defended the Rosenbergs and asserted their innocence, but in September 2008 the co-conspirator Morton Sobell, age 91, admitted to the ''New York Times'' that Julius really was guilty.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/nyregion/12spy.html?em</ref>  He also confirmed the view of historians that Ethel knew about the conspiracy but was not an active participant.

== United Nations ==

== United Nations ==

The United Nations has remained controversial to this day.  In the 1990s, an American soldier named Michael New was ordered to fight under command of the United Nations.  He refused, and was court-martialed (harshly punished) for it.  He then sued, and lost.  Many complain that the United Nations encroaches on the right and duty of nations like the United States to remain true to their own principles.  Defenders of the United Nations say that it provides an important meeting place to discuss and defuse tensions before they escalate into wars.  The United Nations did arrange for many countries to send troops to defend South Korea against invasion by communist North Korea.  But as in Vietnam and most major international wars since World War II, the United States sent the vast majority of the soldiers who went to the battlefront.

The United Nations has remained controversial to this day.  In the 1990s, an American soldier named Michael New was ordered to fight under command of the United Nations.  He refused, and was court-martialed (harshly punished) for it.  He then sued, and lost.  Many complain that the United Nations encroaches on the right and duty of nations like the United States to remain true to their own principles.  Defenders of the United Nations say that it provides an important meeting place to discuss and defuse tensions before they escalate into wars.  The United Nations did arrange for many countries to send troops to defend South Korea against invasion by communist North Korea.  But as in Vietnam and most major international wars since World War II, the United States sent the vast majority of the soldiers who went to the battlefront.

President Woodrow Wilson would have been a supporter of the United Nations, just as he supported the League of Nations.  His motto was to "make the world safe for democracy."  Today, the "neoconservatives" adopt a similar worldview.  They seek to expand and install democracy in countries all around the world, such as Iraq and Iran.  Others, however, argue that democracy is not compatible with religions in other parts of the world, such as Islam.  Conservative Congressman and 2008 presidential candidate Ron Paul recently wrote an essay entitled, "Making the World Safe for Christianity," observing that democracy in Iraq has ''increased'' the persecution of Christians there.  

President Woodrow Wilson would have been a supporter of the United Nations, just as he supported the League of Nations.  His motto was to "make the world safe for democracy."  Today, the "neoconservatives" adopt a similar worldview.  They seek to expand and install democracy in countries all around the world, such as Iraq and Iran.  Others, however, argue that democracy is not compatible with religions in other parts of the world, such as Islam.  Conservative Congressman and 2008 presidential candidate Ron Paul wrote an essay entitled, "Making the World Safe for Christianity," observing that democracy in Iraq has ''increased'' the persecution of Christians there.  

By the way, Congressman Paul blames the treaty after World War I (the Versailles Treaty) as the cause for World War II and the rise of communism.  The U.S. Senate never ratified that treaty.

By the way, Congressman Paul blames the treaty after World War I (the Versailles Treaty) as the cause for World War II and the rise of communism.  The U.S. Senate never ratified that treaty.

== Immigration ==

== Immigration ==

Let's review the issue of immigration, a topic that is often in the news. (It was not a factor in the recent presidential election because both Obama and McCain were pro-immigration and pro-amnesty, and thus had nothing for them to debate about concerning this issue.)

Let's briefly review the issue of immigration, a topic that is often in the news.

Immigration was free and unlimited for most of our history.  William Penn actually advertised in Germany for immigrants to settle in his colony of Pennsylvania in the late 1600s.  There was some hostility to immigrants in the early United States, as illustrated by the "Alien and Sedition Laws" (1798) which authorized the deportation of subversive "aliens" or immigrants who had not yet become citizens.  The law was inspired by a feeling that most immigrants were becoming Democratic-Republican Party members, and so the Federalist Party passed the law.

Immigration was free and unlimited for most of our history.  William Penn actually advertised in Germany for immigrants to settle in his colony of Pennsylvania in the late 1600s.  There was some hostility to immigrants in the early United States, as illustrated by the "Alien and Sedition Laws" (1798) which authorized the deportation of subversive "aliens" or immigrants who had not yet become citizens.  The law was inspired by a feeling that most immigrants were becoming Democratic-Republican Party members, and so the Federalist Party passed the law.

Nevertheless, up until the 1850s immigration was mostly welcomed in America.  But after a huge influx of immigrants from Ireland due to the potato famine there, in 1854 the "American Party," also called the “Know-Nothings” because of how they would describe themselves, was founded in order to oppose immigration.  Ever since, there has been political pressure to limit immigration.

Nevertheless, up until the 1850s immigration was mostly welcomed in America.  But after a huge influx of immigrants from Ireland due to the potato famine there, in 1854 the "American Party," also called the “Know-Nothings” because of how they would describe themselves, was founded in order to oppose immigration.  Ever since, there has been political pressure to limit immigration.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) ended the Mexican War and allowed Mexicans residing in territories acquired by the United States to become American citizens.  However, segregation in the public schools of Mexicans was common until the Supreme Court abolished it for African-Americans in Brown v. Board of Education (1954).  After 1890, hundreds of thousands of Mexicans entered the United States illegally and were called "wetbacks".

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) ended the Mexican War and allowed Mexicans residing in territories acquired by the United States to become American citizens.  However, segregation in the public schools of Mexicans was common until the Supreme Court abolished it for African-Americans in Brown v. Board of Education (1954).  After 1890, hundreds of thousands of Mexicans entered the United States illegally and were given the racist name of "wetbacks".

The big flood of immigration occurred between the end of the Civil War and 1921.  Up to one-third of Americans today are decedents of immigrations to America during that period.  The vast majority was from Europe, but the Burlingame Treaty with China in 1868 gave Chinese unlimited rights to immigrate, and many did.  Labor unions then complained about the influx of Chinese immigrants (who had built the transcontinental railroad over the Sierra Nevada mountains).  In 1879, the moderate Republican Rutherford Hayes vetoed a bill restricting Chinese immigration, but three years later the new Republican president Chester Arthur signed a bill prohibiting the immigration of Chinese laborers.  This bill was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

The big flood of immigration occurred between the end of the Civil War and 1921.  Up to one-third of Americans today are decedents of immigrations to America during that period.  The vast majority was from Europe, but the Burlingame Treaty with China in 1868 gave Chinese unlimited rights to immigrate, and many did.  Labor unions then complained about the influx of Chinese immigrants (who had built the transcontinental railroad over the Sierra Nevada mountains).  In 1879, the moderate Republican Rutherford Hayes vetoed a bill restricting Chinese immigration, but three years later the new Republican president Chester Arthur signed a bill prohibiting the immigration of Chinese laborers.  This bill was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

Illegal immigration from Mexico grew in the early 1980s and the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 allowed most illegal aliens who resided in the U.S. continuously since 1982 to apply for legal status.  Employers were prohibited from hiring illegal aliens, in order to discourage future illegal immigration.

Illegal immigration from Mexico grew in the early 1980s and the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 allowed most illegal aliens who resided in the U.S. continuously since 1982 to apply for legal status.  Employers were prohibited from hiring illegal aliens, in order to discourage future illegal immigration.

Court decisions made it difficult or impossible for States to deny government benefits (such as free public education) to illegal immigrants.  Accordingly, their entry into the United States continued to grow.  Estimates are that 10-20 million people now live in the United States illegally, most having arrived by crossing the United States-Mexico border but not all of whom are Mexican.  Congress is bitterly divided about how to address this, and some propose building a wall along that border.  This promises to be one of the biggest issues facing our nation in 2009, as both Obama and McCain favor granting "amnesty" to illegal immigrants who are here, but many voters oppose this.

Court decisions made it difficult or impossible for States to deny government benefits (such as free public education) to illegal immigrants.  Accordingly, their entry into the United States continued to grow.  Estimates are that 10-20 million people now live in the United States illegally, most having arrived by crossing the United States-Mexico border but not all of whom are Mexican.  Congress is bitterly divided about how to address this, and some propose building a wall along that border.

'''Debate:  What is your view of immigration?'''

'''Debate:  What is your view of immigration?'''