June 24, 2025

Dear Founders, Signers and Framers:

Gentlemen:

I know it has been some time since I have written, and I apologize for my negligence. However, a recent decision in San Francisco has made me aware of how I have been shirking my responsibility on keeping you informed on how we are doing, heeding your advice in maintaining this wonderful “experiment” which you established almost 250 years ago on the right track.

I know all of you felt a properly educated populace would be the key in maintaining what you established and how to avoid our democratic republic from slipping into tyranny and rule by a few.  I will use the thoughts of the three of you to illustrate the general sentiment of all.

President Jefferson here are your thoughts on a general need for the basics of education:

“The ultimate result of the whole scheme of education would be the teaching all the children of the state reading, writing, and common arithmetic: turning out [several] annually of superior genius, well taught in Greek, Latin, geography, and the higher branches of arithmetic: turning out… …

President Madison your thoughts  towards knowledge is power and this power will allow us to continue to govern ourselves and not be led aimlessly:

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”

Mr. Franklin you were as usual right in your assessment:

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” “The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance.”

With these thoughts in mind, let’s look at Superintendent Maria Su’s plans for San Francisco as reported in Newsweek.

Superintendent Su’s plan was not subject to a public vote by the Board of Education. San Francisco went so far as to hire a consultant Joe Feldman who advocates how traditional grading can reinforce socioeconomic disparities and proposes alternative strategies for more equitable assessments.

Homework and classroom participation will no longer influence a student’s final grade. Students will be assessed primarily on a final exam, which they can retake multiple times. Attendance and punctuality will not affect academic standing. The new system will be modeled in part on the San Leandro Unified School District, where students can earn an A with a score as low as 80 percent and pass with a D at just 21 percent. Under the forthcoming San Francisco policy, a score of 41 percent will qualify as a C.

According to Mr. Feldman, “If our grading practices don’t change, the achievement and opportunity gaps will remain for our most vulnerable students. If we are truly dedicated to equity, we have to stop avoiding the sensitive issue of grading and embrace it,”

Gentlemen, I am sure you would agree with me that the most vulnerable will remain that way and that the only equity this plan supports is that of ignorance, laziness and mediocrity.

Once again, we have not heeded your advice, which as always was and is a true vision for our future even almost 250 years ago. I am sure Mr. Franklin you had these alleged educators in mind when you said:

“He was so learned that he could name a horse in nine languages; so ignorant that he bought a cow to ride on.”

Thank you for your time and I remain,

Sincerely yours,

Andrew DeMarco

Somers, NY

P.S. “The goal of education is to enable individuals to continue their education”

John Dewey

March 6, 2024

President Franklin Pierce

Dear President Pierce:

As I once said to President Taylor in a previous letter, you are a President who I thought I would never be writing to so, I would like to start with a bit of your background. You were the 14^th president of the United States and prior to your election to that office you served in both the House of Representatives and Senate representing New Hampshire. In addition, before that you served as a Brigadier General in the Mexican – American War. You opposed the abolitionist movement which you thought threatened the unity of the country and you were also considered an expansionist and authorized the Gadsden purchase with Mexico. This was the purchase of territory which became parts of southern Arizona and New Mexico. You also made a failed attempt to purchase Cuba from Spain and your expansionist views led you to this quote:

“While men inhabiting different parts of this vast continent cannot be expected to hold the same opinions, they can unite in a common objective and sustain common principles.”

Well President Pierce you would think that it would be simple to unite for a common cause for the benefit of all but unfortunately it is not. You see these days it seems neither party can agree on anything, nor do they know the word compromise. This got me thinking that we need to remind our legislators of some common objectives and principles. President Pierce, I think you might agree with me that a good place to look at these requirements might be in the Preamble of our Constitution.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

We The People gave our leaders six guidelines to follow. The first is to form a more perfect union, our Founders realized that perfection is almost impossible at any time due to the changing context of time. That is why our Constitution is adaptable through the amendment process. Second, establish justice, one that works the same for all regardless of race, religion or our political affiliation, Third, insure domestic tranquility. However, maybe this needs to begin with our leaders to be more tranquil with themselves. Fourth, provide for the common defense keeping us safe from all enemies foreign and domestic. Fifth, promote the general welfare while keeping in mind the freedoms and liberties we are entitled to enjoy. Sixth, to ensure these liberties for all future generations of Americans which I will say is entirely up to we the people through fair and just elections.. President Pierce, if all our leaders were to keep this in mind when legislating and enacting laws, It is up to We the People to make sure that they follow these guidelines. If they follow these guidelines, it will make their jobs much easier and compromise for the benefit of all attainable

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Andrew DeMarco

Somers, NY

June 19, 2023

Secretary Alexander Hamilton

Dear Mr. Secretary:

It has been some time since I have written to you and while some things have changed, one of the biggest issues today concerns immigration. I came across your thoughts on this issue and this quote in particular struck me especially with all that is going on today:

“The survival of the American republic depends upon the preservation of a national spirit and a national character. To admit foreigners indiscriminately to the rights of citizens the moment they put foot in our country would be nothing less than to admit the Grecian horse into the citadel of our liberty and sovereignty.”

You see, Mr. Hamilton, the Grecian Horse is already in our citadel and it entered through our southern border which now includes states that you could only have dreamed of. Today at that border, foreigners are indiscriminately and illegally crossing our borders and being admitted into our country and in some cases are getting better treatment than our own citizens. Since these borders have been opened and the flow of illegal immigrants continues, it is a definitive breach of our sovereignty and in the long term a threat to our liberty. It is not that you were opposed to immigration Mr. Hamilton, as you and the other Founders often spoke of the need for immigration as a means of growth for this country, however, immigration should come with the stipulations of self-sufficiency, assimilation and an adherence to our laws. Self-sufficiency was an important part of these stipulations that you and the other Founders were concerned with, together with new immigrants being a drain on our government resources. Assimilation and adherence to our laws would contribute to the preservation of the national spirit and character which you spoke of.

As you are well aware Mr. Hamilton, since 1790 the United States has had a myriad of immigration laws which were constantly being updated according to the times. However, today there is a total disregard for immigration laws which are in effect, further causing a divide amongst the people. In many instances, these illegal immigrants are draining our resources and creating further divisiveness among our citizenry.

Finally, Mr. Hamilton I will remind you of the thoughts Mr. Franklin had on this matter:

“Unless the Stream of their Importation could be turned… they will soon so outnumber us, that all the advantages we have, will not in my Opinion be able to preserve our Language, and even our Government will become precarious.”

Today, with the daily streaming of immigrants over our borders, the tide may soon be turning and all that you gentlemen worked for can become precarious. Once again Mr. Hamilton, you and the other founders have proven your prescience even after all these years and we should all heed your advice and wisdom.

Sincerely,

Andrew DeMarco

Somers, NY

April 18, 2023

Representative Fredrick Muhlenberg

Dear Honorable Muhlenberg,

I first learned about you while, believe it or not, reading a novel by Steven Berry. Although you may not have been considered one of the Founding Fathers you did hold the honor of being one of the first in our country. In 1789 you were elected to the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania and became the first Speaker of the House.

Mr. Speaker it was during your tenure that the House voted against a proposal to translate some of our laws into German and your comment at the time was:

“The faster the Germans become Americans, the better it will be.”

Although you abstained from the vote and not having voted against the bill the “Muhlenberg Legend” came to be and that legend was that you were responsible for prohibiting German from becoming an official language of the United States. But Mr. Speaker I think I can see your real motive.

This vote came at a time when the country was still trying to unite behind a common cause and become that melting pot of English, Dutch, French and others. Thirteen different states and entities becoming united for this cause that “E Pluribus Unam.” The funny thing, Mr. Speaker is that your simple statement does in no way suggest that anyone abandon who they are or where they came from as well as their traditions. What it does request is that we all assimilate and accept the laws and ways upon which this country was founded, such as freedom of speech, and equal rights for all to name a few.

Well Mr. Speaker, things are quite different today. Attempts to divide have shown their faces in all aspects of our lives even in the halls of higher education.

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is set to host five different graduation ceremonies segregated by ethnic background, race, and sexual orientation “Graduation Celebrations” would be held for Asian, Black, “Latino/a/x,” Native Americans, and “Lavender” or “LGBTQIA+” students. It makes me wonder what ever happened to school spirit when they cannot even get together to celebrate their accomplishments. Even esteemed institutions like Harvard have in the past have had additional commencements for minority students.

 I am sure you would agree Mr. Speaker that we as a nation worked hard and long to overcome these segregations and create that melting pot so we could create a common American identity out of the many and now we are taking steps backward. Once again, we should pay attention to our Founders and early ground breakers such as yourself and follow your advice. The sooner we all become Americans the sooner we can recreate that beautiful rainbow that the melting pot was intended to be.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Andrew DeMarco

Somers, NY

February 17, 2023

Mr. Clarence Darrow Esq.

Dear Mr. Darrow:

First a bit about you. You were one of the most famous lawyers of the early 20^th century and although many thought of you as a “country lawyer”, you were known for your eloquent arguments as well as  being quick witted. Your defense of thrill killers Leopold and Loeb and teacher John T. Scopes in the Scopes Monkey Trial made you one of the most prominent attorneys, civil libertarian and a leader of the A.C.L.U.

I recently watched the movie “Inherit the Wind” which was made 22 years after your death and which tells the story of the Scope Monkey Trial through fictional characters. You were portrayed by the actor Spencer Tracy and in the movie he has a line which is attributed to you and which comes from the Scopes Trial and the Essential Words and Writings of Clarence Darrow:

“Ignorance and fanaticism is ever busy and needs feeding. Always it is feeding and gloating for more.”

This got me thinking Mr. Darrow that you should know about today’s political and social environment and the fanaticism that permeates all sides. I have often mentioned how everyone seems to walk in lockstep with whatever side they are on and this creates the appearance of fanaticism. This also makes the opposition, no matter where you stand, think the other side is ignorant. There is a middle ground but it seems that no one knows where it is and this is probably due to the feeding frenzy.  So that led me to this question, Mr. Darrow, where and how is this fanaticism and ignorance being fed?

Today, Mr. Darrow, unlike at the time of the Scopes trial, we live in the age of the Internet, social media and other sources of news which provide us with information 24 hours a day. You can find your point of view no matter what it is and get continually fed basically anything you want to hear. What we don’t seem to get is a provider who just gives us the facts and allows us to form our own opinions. When we do get the facts, there is always an opinion given to sway us to their side.  No matter what side you are on, you can go to your favorite trough or teat and get fed all the information you need until you are so over fed you become that fanatic and also become ignorant of other opinions. This is when everyone starts walking in lock step. Many people today, once they start this feeding frenzy, take little time to see what else is offered on the buffet table of information or ideas.

The problem is today many don’t take the time to explore that buffet and see what the other side is about and because of this they become more entrenched in their opinions which only builds more fanaticism. If they were to sample a bit of the buffet, maybe they can ease that ignorance and help reduce fanaticism and begin to have constructive conversations. But once again Mr. Darrow, we can learn from the past since your words from that famous trial which had fanatics on both sides still rings true.

Sincerely,

Andrew DeMarco

Somers, NY

                                                                                                            January 18, 2023

President Benjamin Harrison

Dear President Harrison:

I thought I would give a little background about you before I get to the point of this letter. You were the 23^rd president and the grandson of our ninth President William Henry Harrison making the two of you the only grandfather – grandson presidential duo. You were also the only president to be defeated four years later by the man who you defeated President Stephen Grover Cleveland. You were strong on tariffs and voting rights and during your term six states entered the union more than any other presidential term. Your stand on tariffs had created a surplus of money in the Treasury, which led many Democrats to call for lowering them and raise internal taxes. Republicans preferred to maintain the rates, spend the surplus on internal improvements and needs and to further lower taxes. I am sure to many today this sounds quite familiar.

Today President Harrison there is a lot of talk about the redistribution of wealth or what some are calling equity and that the wealthy need to pay their fair share of taxes and that these taxes need to be used to achieve this “equity” for the less fortunate. We are seeing more of it every day do to the immigration problems which we as a nation are now experiencing. Many feel that this Robin Hood approach really needs to be better thought out for several reasons. Which brings me to your thoughts on the matter which for many is the main reason why this approach will not work.

“We cannot right matters by taking from one what he has honestly acquired to bestow upon another what he has not earned.”

I am sure that those who you would take from agree with your feelings regarding this matter. There must be some type of earning mechanism before anything can be bestowed. The internal improvements that your party fought for could be used for the betterment of those who have less and for these improvements that would benefit all. President Harrison it is also well documented that those who have honestly acquired their vast fortunes often do bestow some of their fortunes for the benefit of all the people. I am sure President Harrison that you have read my other blog regarding this matter and if not, you can below.

Rosy Glow – the Robber Barons

It seems that the more fortunate find ways to help in benefitting all, whether it is a small gesture or on a larger level. Maybe the government and society would be in better shape if we took your advice regarding this move to “equity”.

Sincerely,

Andrew DeMarco

Somers, NY

November 1, 2022

President Abraham Lincoln:

Dear President Lincoln:

With upcoming Mid-Term elections upon us, I came across this quote by you regarding the importance and responsibly of the citizenry to vote:

“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

This year in particular, there seems to be a lot of fires going on. Concerns about the economy, crime, foreign policy, even the integrity of all our elected officials and abortion make this one a raging forest fire. Adding more fuel to these fires is the divisiveness and animosity that exists between both parties, something which one of your predecessors President Washington warned us about. You express your thoughts, President Lincoln, in a folksy manner as only you can.

No matter where the voter stands on these issues, it is their responsibility to make their feelings known and if we do not choose to accept the challenge and help put out these fires, we only have ourselves to blame. Voting is probably the biggest privilege we have as American Citizens and as another president once stated “Elections have consequences.”  If we don’t help in putting out the fires that surround us, we all deserve to have our rear ends blistered. It is also the responsibility of all elected officials to act in a responsible manner for the benefit of “We the People.”

So, President Lincoln, I am sure you would agree with me when I say go out and vote! Whether your side wins or not, your vote and making your opinions known may serve to put some heat on the rear ends of our elected officials and force them to work together, something which seems to be lost with most of them. I am sure that if they do wake up and work for the benefit of all, we will gladly supply the balm to tend to their blisters, which would be a small price to pay.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Andrew DeMarco

Somers, NY

September 8, 2022

President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson,

Dear Mr. Presidents:

I usually write to our Founders, Signers and Framers to keep them informed on how we are following their advice. I very rarely write to people from the past who were alive in my lifetime but with all the divisiveness that exists today your simple but direct thoughts are right on.

There is no need to remind either of you that you both served as President in the very turbulent decade of the 1960’s. The issues of the Viet Nam War and Civil Rights along with political assassinations were the major cause of unrest which has not been seen until recently. Today we have political parties that are more interested in their own concerns than those of the people they serve and all sides have locked arms against one another. Everything is done in a partisan manner rather than working to compromise so all sides benefit. This leads to the animosity which we are currently seeing.

Here President Kennedy is where your simple thought would go a long way in helping to remedy this problem:

“Let’s talk to one another instead of about one another.”

John F. Kennedy

Today, all sides hurl insults, barbs, gossip and sling enough mud to cover all 100 Senators and 435 Representatives from head to toe and then some, instead of just talking to one another. Maybe they all need to clear the mud from their eyes and take a good hard look at themselves and their methods.

President Johnson, your thought which is so obvious that it is amazing that none of our mud-covered so-called leaders of today haven’t once thought about it or even mentioned it.

“There are no problems we cannot solve together and very few that we can solve by ourselves.”

Lyndon B, Johnson

President Johnson, you have firsthand experience with this method of problem solving with the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which legislation first proposed by President Kennedy, was done through compromise and in a bi-partisan manner.

President Johnson, two of your successors did heed your advice and we had periods of success and harmony as compared to today. President Reagan worked with Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neil while President Clinton Worked with Speaker Newt Gingrich proving that we can indeed solve our problems together rather than by ourselves. Looking back, even President Lincoln assembled his “Team of Rivals” and worked together.

What is truly sad is that our politicians today who claim to admire both of you don’t seem to know how to take your advice and follow your lead.

Once again, if we all were to just learn from our past and take heed of what our Founders and others thought, we would all be much better off. The problem is how can we get through to the single mindedness of today’s politicians and other policy makers that there is so much to learn from the past?

Thank you for your time, Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.

Sincerely,

Andrew J. DeMarco

Somers, NY

May 11, 2022

President George Washington

Dear President Washington:

While having a discussion sponsored by The National Constitution Center on the First Amendment, a quote of yours came to mind. You are probably wondering what the National Constitution Center (NCC) is about so allow me to tell you. Located in Philadelphia it is across the mall from where you and the other Founders, Signers and Framers did your finest work in putting together a document that is still the envy of the world. The NCC serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” Mr. President, it is a must see on any visit to Philadelphia. But I digress, it is your thoughts on the first amendment that interest me and your quote speaks volumes even more so in today’s environment:

“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”

You see Mr. President, today we have many more forms of communication including social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and others that have become very popular. Again, you must be thinking, what is this guy talking about but bear with me and trust me that Mr. Franklin would probably find these new methods amazing. These platforms have adopted policies where they can censor the writings and opinions as they see fit and deem harmful.  In the past, they have banned even a former President from expressing his views because they determined them to be hateful. But the question is who are they to determine what is hateful and why are they limiting the free exchange of ideas and opinions? We also have a President establishing through an Executive Order the Disinformation Governance Board. You see President Washington, I am not quite sure what the job or aim of this new board is but I am sure you will agree that whenever the government attempts to control information whether good or bad, it is never a good thing.

I am also sure you would agree Mr. President that when information is freely given, it allows us to form our own opinions so we can then express these opinions and finally have a civil discussion. If we cannot have this discussion and we are only allowed the flow of information from one side, we are truly sheep being led to the slaughter. Freedom of Speech is the Foundation for all the other freedoms which we are fortunate to have. Without this, our democratic process and this country ceases to exist. Guess what President Washington, that is my opinion and I am free to express it, even write about it and I am willing to listen and discuss this with anyone who has a differing point of view.

What is important President Washington is that we should once again listen to the thoughts and advice that you and all the other Founders espoused well over two hundred years ago, because it is still so relevant and this country would be better for it.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Andrew J. DeMarco

Somers, NY

March 23, 2022

The Honorable James Wilson:

Dear Justice Wilson:

Before I begin, I think we should all know a little bit about you. You were a Founding Father, signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of the six original Justices of the Supreme Court. You were also a major participant in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and taught the new Constitution to President Washington and his Cabinet. One of your quotes regarding crime and its prevention is very relevant today.

“To prevent crimes, is the noblest end and aim of criminal jurisprudence. To punish them, is one of the means necessary for the accomplishment of this noble end and aim.”

Of the Study of the Law in the United States, Circa 1790

Its relevance is seen in the rising crime rates throughout this country and which happens to coincide with the handcuffing of police in doing their sworn duty to prevent crime and protect the populace. Police forces are being de-funded and morale among those who work to achieve what you refer to as the noblest aim, the prevention of crime, is at its lowest. The recruitment of those to what once was a noble profession is also at an all-time low.

The second part of your quote speaks to the need for punishment as a necessary means to achieving the ends of preventing crimes. This too has been thrown out the window with the latest push among states called “Bail Reform.” This legislation is often passed by incorporating it into necessary legislation such as a budget, which was done here in New York. One has to wonder if it would have passed at all if it had been left to stand on its own merits as a piece of legislation.  Which speaks to the thoughts of your fellow Founders, President Madison and Alexander Hamilton, as expressed in the Federalist Papers No. 62 written on February 27, 1788.

This Bail Reform Legislation coupled with the softening and ignoring of sentencing guidelines, defeats the purpose of punishment as a deterrent and has been proven to show a recidivism which has led to the increase in crime.   

It is once again amazing how 232 years later your thoughts and words should be a guideline for our politicians today. This not only applies to you Justice Wilson but as time and history has shown, our Founders, Signers and Framers were much more far sighted than any of us are today. It also proves how history is so important for us to learn from no matter whether it is good or bad.  I will be looking into more of your great insights going forward.

Sincerely,

Andrew DeMarco

Somers, NY

P.S. Back in 2016, former Representative Mia Love of Utah proposed legislation called, the One Subject at a Time Act, H.R. 4335.  This Act would require single subject bills with the aim of curbing the passing of complicated, multifaceted bills or attaching unrelated items. This Bill went nowhere.