The Power to Regulate Is the Power to Control
By Robert E. Wright In his 1819 opinion in McCulloch v. Maryland, US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall famously stated what everyone already knew, “the power to tax is
Education on the US Constitution
Building Blocks for Liberty is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the U.S. Constitution by teaching the importance of this historical document that governs our nation.
Teach people how to read and understand the Constitution for themselves with many of the tools the founders provided.
Host Constitution Boot Camps that give people the ability to understand and apply the US Constitution to all facets of government.
Our target market is young people from middle-school age through college. We believe providing these tools to young people is critical.
We are always looking for volunteers to help organize or staff events. All those passionate about the Constitution are welcome.
Marines Jim Lewis and John Hindery combined their love of history and education of the US Constitution to form Building Blocks for Liberty.
Students, teachers, law enforcement officials, government officials and anyone who wants a refresher on the US Constitution.
We operate on donations from those who believe the Constitution and founding principles are worth preserving. We hope you’ll consider a tax-deductible donation to our 501(c)(3). Without your support, we wouldn’t exist.
We are pleased to announce the following events in which you can participate.
“As Frederick Douglass said in 1852, our Constitution is a “glorious liberty document.” BBFL’s boot camp brings that alive and helps preserve our founding principles.”
Jack P., Cincinnati, Ohio
“I have attended two BBFLs, both of which were very well done and informative. I even brought my congressman, Col. Dr. Brad Wenstrup, to one of them. He was impressed and asked several questions during the class.
I appreciate John and Jim and their efforts to enlighten Americans on the meaning and crucial importance of our unique basic national legal document. OoRah, Marines!”
Howard H., Cincinnati, Ohio
“Bob Hilliard’s Constitution Boot Camp was highly informative, and very enjoyable. I came away with valuable information, and with a better understanding on the Constitution, and what it is intended to do. I recommend the boot camp for adults of all ages, and especially high school and college students. Bob delivers a quality product, both with his book and the boot camp.”
Texas State Representative Kyle Biedermann (District 73)
“Building Blocks for Liberty’s Constitution Bootcamp was an educational experience for both me and my daughter. I was reminded about the beauty and importance of our Founders and our Constitution. My daughter, who was in 8th Grade, said she learned more in one day at Bootcamp than she has all in all of her years of public school – and it stuck with her, she still remembers the principles.”
Ann B., West Chester, Ohio
“When I attended my first boot camp in Edgewood, KY, I was unsure what to expect. I knew that I was a conservative, and voted in the big general elections, but I wasn’t too interested in government or politics. The boot camp changed so much for me! I experienced a complete paradigm shift! Everything that I thought I knew about our history and Constitution changed. That first class taught me a lot, but more importantly, it made me hungry for more.”
Becky W., Rising Sun, IN
“I signed up for the class in 2018, that was held at Pee Wee’s Place in Crescent Springs Kentucky. It is simply the best $25.00 that I have ever spent. I mean this literally. The wealth of information that I learned from this multi instructor led six-hour seminar was invaluable.
In this class, you are given a portfolio for taking notes, a book, “The Handbook for We the People”, and also a book, “The Federalist Papers”. The class is for all ages but is best taught to young kids from Middle School and up.”
Jerry K., Covington, KY
I consider myself a Conservative and a Constitutionalist. But, by attending the one day Boot Camp a couple of years ago my eyes were opened to a real understanding of critical aspects of the Constitution and most important how we in the states can halt the drift away and back to the intended Constitutional government.
I am still loaning out the materials provided at the Boot Camp.
Jim R., Traverse City,Michigan
In 2018 my wife and I drove from the northern part of Michigan to Cincinnati, Ohio for a Constitution Bootcamp. We were on vacation so drove our motorhome. As we approached the location my wife said to not be surprised if she left the presentation and went to the motorhome. As it turned out the presentation was so exciting to her that she stayed and enjoyed the entire presentation.
I was so impressed with the quality of the presentation that I sponsored a Constitution Bootcamp in Kalkaska, Michigan in April 2019. We are a sparsely populated area so I prayed for at least 15 people to make the BBFL time worthwhile. We had over 50 in attendance.
The enthusiasm is so high yet that I have been approached by a local orgaization asking me to organize another Constituion Bootcamp. That one is coming up in August 2020. There is no better place to spend family time than a Constitution Bootcamp. I had my children and grandchildren present. It was well worth the time.
Mike C., Kalkaska, MI
Your presentation was so enlightening–so much to review and think through. I took an excellent Constitution course several years ago, but this approach is even better–breaking everything down to looking at what the federal govt does thru the lens of enumerated rights.
Lois R., Gun Barrel City, Tx.
Explore some of the key moments and events that have helped shape the course of US political and constitutional development.
At a Constitutional Convention in 1787, delegates devised a plan for a federal government with three branches—executive, legislative and judicial—along with a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch would have too much power. The Bill of Rights added 10 amendments which specifically listed protections for things such as freedom of speech, religion, bearing arms and variety of other potential government over-reaches. In a most revolutionary way, this document formed a Republic which fundamentally limited government’s power and protected our natural rights.
Read MoreSkirmishes between British troops and colonial militiamen in April 1775 kicked off the conflict in Massachusetts. By the following summer, the rebels were waging a full-scale war for their independence across most of the Eastern seaboard. At a disadvantage in every strategic sense, George Washington and his Generals were forced to retreat a number of times, surviving just long enough to earn a few key victories and secure much needed French assistance.
After years of hard fought battles, starvation and even disease, Washington and the Continental Army forced the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781. Americans had effectively won their independence, though fighting would not formally end until 1783.
Read MoreAfter years of Britain violating a variety of individual rights, representatives of the 13 colonies in America decided they’d had enough. They drafted a document to clarify reasons the American colonies were seceding from Britain and publicly announced the separation. With this Declaration, the founders committed treason and incited war with the world’s dominant super power.
Most importantly, the Declaration of Independence summarized a philosophical approach to life and government rooted in the defense of individual rights. It was an incredibly radical statement for any group to make, and it became the inspiration for the American War for Independence, Constitution and the United States that followed after years of battle.
Here is that world-changing text.
Read MoreNews, headlines and great articles from a variety of sources.
By Robert E. Wright In his 1819 opinion in McCulloch v. Maryland, US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall famously stated what everyone already knew, “the power to tax is
By Jeffrey Bristol The telos, or final cause of the American regime, according to the prophets of the Common Good, descends like a vision from God, telling us precisely how our society
By: Rob Natelson Answering Questions About This Series Some questions have arisen on this series, which I think best to clear up now. First: As the series title indicates, these essays
By: Dan Sanchez Should America embrace libertarianism? Many would regard such a prospect as recklessly experimental. This is partly because they regard libertarianism as some crackpot
Get it here (right-click to download) – or scroll down for the full report via Scribd .pdf format (right-click to download and save) How to upload to your Kindle device or app clic
By: Judge Andrew Napolitano Among the lesser-known holes in the Constitution cut by the Patriot Act of 2001 was the destruction of the “wall” between federal law enforcement and fe
by Samuel Gregg “Milton Friedman’s shareholder doctrine is dead.” Such was the headline of a 2020 Fortune magazine article critiquing Friedman’s famous New York Times opin
By: TJ Martinell While the anti-federalist Federal Farmer was critical of the proposed House of Representatives for having too few members, he was even more harsh toward the proposed
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