10/29/2026
Why George? As the artist, I chose George Washington to be the central figure on the cover of my upcoming multidisciplinary album, "Reflecting on America," not because of the 250 year anniversary of Independence, or to glorify him as our first president.
No, I chose George Washington for his Farewell Address, written with the aid of his ghost writer, Alexander Hamilton.
Once you get past the formalities and dive into the heart of Washington's address, they detail for pages and pages exactly how democracies fall. Not through foreign wars or invasions, but from within – through the "baneful effects of the spirit of party" and the "spirit of revenge."
We are in the midst of this warning.
If I could give one homework assignment to America today, this would be it: to read the heart of George Washington's Farewell Address. Washington and Hamilton warn future America, that if we are not vigilant, “cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."
I've written an essay on this exact topic titled "George Washington's Warning." The link is right below in the comments section!
Please like & share this post to help me launch this project. Your support means the world as I build toward this album release.
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"History will teach us... that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants." ~ Alexander Hamilton | Federalist No. 1
A concept that should resonate deeply with followers of Heather Cox Richardson
