America is an on-going experiment in a tantalizing paradox: the structure of freedom; the government of liberty. The founders of this nation were well aware of the difficulties inherent in what they were attempting. Thomas Jefferson put the conundrum in a nutshell when he noted, "That governs best, which governs least." George Washington himself referred to this adventure in nation-building as "The Great Experiment," knowing full well that its success was by no means guaranteed.

Well, almost 230 years after the Declaration of Independence, there's no question that "the flag is still there" but the paradox is still there, too. The questions of the proper balance between freedom and responsibility, between individual liberty and state power, have to be answered every day in our own lives.

We have established this site to make our contribution to the cause of human freedom and understanding; to inform, motivate and inspire you to be a guardian of America as a land of maximum freedom, minimum government, growing prosperity and expanding opportunity.

We have found that the city we live in, Washington DC, speaks to those who will listen, through its architecture, monuments and sculpture. We've begun learning this language and would like to share some of the history of this great city. It's more than a personal photo album. It's an album of our ancestors, of our peers, of our trials and successes, our griefs and jubilation. It's an album of good people trying to do their best within the Great Experiment called America. We invite you to enjoy this beautiful city and we invite you to become a vital, engaged and responsible part of America.

"Free men must re-dedicate themselves to the cause of freedom. They must understand with a new certainty of conviction that the cause of freedom is the cause of the human individual. Human individuality is the basis of every value -- spiritual, moral, intellectual, creative -- in human life."

"Freedom is the right to one's soul; the right of each person to approach God in his own way and by his own means. It is a man's right to possess his mind and conscience for himself. To those who put their trust in freedom, the state can have no sovereignty over the mind or soul, it must be the servant of man's reason, not the master."

-- Text from plaque of "Bex Eagle" in Washington, DC.

"And as we renew ourselves here in our own land, we will be seen as having greater strength throughout the world. We will again be the exemplar of freedom and a beacon of hope for those who do not now have freedom. To those neighbors and allies who share our freedom, we will strengthen our historic ties and assure them of our support and firm commitment. We will match loyalty with loyalty. We will strive for mutually beneficial relations. We will not use our friendship to impose on their sovereignty, for our own sovereignty is not for sale. As for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it; we will not surrender for it -- now or ever. Our forbearance should never be misunderstood. Our reluctance for conflict should not be misjudged as a failure of will. When action is required to preserve our national security, we will act. We will maintain sufficient strength to prevail if need be, knowing that if we do so we have the best chance of never having to use that strength. Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have. It is a weapon that we as Americans do have. Let that be understood by those who practice terrorism and prey upon their neighbors."

-- Ronald Reagan (1981)