America 250

250 Years Later, Benjamin Franklin's Warning Is Still Relevant

He famously said the Founders had created "a republic, if you can keep it." How have we kept it? And can we continue?

John Stossel | 5.27.2026 12:30 AM

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(Stossel TV)

This summer, the United States celebrates its 250th birthday.

In 1776, few people believed this new version of self-government would last.

After the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked what kind of government the Founding Fathers had created.

"A republic," he replied, "if you can keep it."

If.

It's rare that a new form of government lasts dozens of years, let alone 250.

How did America do it?

In my new video, people give reasons:

"In the U.S. Constitution, you see a lot of phrases like 'Congress shall not' or 'No law shall be passed,'" Rob Henderson, the author of Troubled who coined the term "luxury beliefs," points out. "It's not about what government will do for you. It's focused on [how] Congress and the government are not going to interfere in your lives."

That made America different, says economist Donald Boudreaux: "Compared to most other governments throughout history, ours has been the freest and the most liberal in the sense of........

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