Advice From a Founder

In yesterdays editorial section of The Boston Globe, Ira Stoll, through the eyes of Samuel Adams, offers a take on dealing with today's harsh economic realities. (Jan. 2, p. A13) "A revolutionary for our times" is an interesting piece that presents an alternate way of handling financial difficulties. According to Stoll, Adams was not the wealthiest Founding Father, as evidenced by the fact that "before he set out to Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress in 1774, the people of Boston took up a collection to buy him a new suit and pair of shoes." Stoll writes how Adams dealt with modest living by accepting it and devoting the time he had to his country. Adams, in part, attributes the source of his world view to those who came before. In his words, "The virtues of our Ancestors inspires us -- they were contented with Clams & Muscles." (June 1,1774)

Here we sit, 235 years later, on the cusp of a new year, traditionally a time to re-set priorities and focus on improving ourselves. Ira Stoll suggests we look to Samuel Adams for direction in viewing our somewhat sorry predicament, saying that as Americans we tend to look to the Founders for advice on many fronts, why not this? "It's something to consider this year when job-hunting, looking for ways to cut the family budget, or absorbing losses in retirement accounts or brokerage statements. Samuel Adams had an insight that seems especially worth recalling at this moment: There are things, like freedom and equality and family and faith and country, that are more important than money." Rather than feeling sorry for oneself, we would do well to do as Sam Adams did -- be happy with our "Clams & Muscles" and decide to "contribute to the Redemption of [our] Country."

To read Ira Stoll's entire article, click the link below.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/01/02/a_revolutionary_for_our_times/