1. The Christian Right of the 18th Century were violently opposed to the Constitution, which they viewed, accurately, as a secular document.

"[The] new Constitution, disdains... belief of a deity, the immortality of the soul, or the resurrection of the body, a day of judgement, or a future state of rewards or punishment."

— Pennsylvania Pamphleteer and Constitution critic "Aristocrotis," 1788

2. James Madison feared all branches of government falling under the influence of one faction, as is currently the case.

"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands... may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."

— James Madison, Federalist Paper #47

3. In the Federalist papers, three key Founders (Madison, Hamilton, and John Jay) wrote about the critical need to uphold international treaties. The idea of an America that was above international law had not yet come into vogue.

4. The Founders, inspired by John Locke (among others) believed that the legislative branch — not the executive branch — should be the dominant branch of government, as it most clearly articulated the voice of the people. They feared a powerful executive, having recently emerged from a vicious war with Britain's King George III.

5. George Washington, upon hearing that British troops had visited and been served refreshments at Mount Vernon while he was off fighting the Revolutionary War, wrote to his cousin (and caretaker of the estate) saying that he would have preferred that Mount Vernon had been burned to the ground than to have given comfort to the enemy. This sort of willingness to make personal sacrifices — property, money, and even life — was typical of the Revolutionary generation. Many paid the ultimate price while fighting to win America's independence.

6. Washington, in one of his letters, proposed the Colonial equivalent of C-SPAN — free distribution for newspapers that would fully publish the business and debates of Congress. He personally read up to 10 newspapers a day to stay informed of current events.

7. Churchmen from minority sects (such as the New England Baptists) fought actively for a separation of church and state so that all beliefs would be protected. Their argument suggested that a true respect for God — and the sanctity of individual belief — mandated a secular state.

8. Thomas Jefferson edited his own version of the New Testament, cutting everything he deemed superstitious or dogmatic, leaving only the philosophical teachings of Jesus.

9. Tom Paine, in particular, hated empires and wars of conquest. "You are amazed that the world doesn't help you conquer a country," he wrote of the British Empire.

10. Alexander Hamilton blasted the creators of the French Revolution for putting ideals above human nature and human lives — like most of the Founding Fathers, he was an idealist who was nonetheless deeply concerned with pragmatic ideas that worked, and preserving human life whenever possible.