Yes I am still thinking of running for Congress. In fact following my visit to D.C. last week it is more likely than ever.

A couple of reflections.

Every time I visit the monuments I feel inspired. As an adherent of the ancient religion of politik, is as close to a holy place as there is for me.

Thomas Jefferson has always been my favorite in all of history.

And those of you who follow this blog know I have studied history and philosophy closely. But Jefferson stands above even my beloved Rousseau:

“”I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man” is perhaps my favorite snippet.

But recalling the final words of the Declaration of Independence:

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

There we something about this line that really spoke to me this trip.

First, nobody pledges anything upon their sacred honor anymore. And that’s too bad.

Second, I appreciated that these men were knowingly and openly putting their fortunes– everything they and their ancestors had worked hard for across generations– on the line, along with their lives, to give this nation its birth.

That really is truly profound– and not in some hokey cheesy way, but in a real life hits you in the gut sort of way if you really pause to think about it.

These were rich men who profited from the system as it stood. But they wanted to build something the world had never seen. Something better. And they were willing to risk EVERYTHING for it.

God, I can relate to that.

But here I am tarrying over the “risk” to my practice when I know my work is so badly needed for the sake of the country I care so much about. Seems like such small stakes compared to what these men put on the line knowingly, openly, publicly.. in writing.

Perhaps even more meaningful, on the way to visit TJ’s memorial I happened upon George Mason’s memorial, tucked away in the far corner of the tidal basin.

I had never visited before. Didn’t even know it existed.

There I found perhaps the precise inspiration I needed:

“I charge [my sons] never to let the motives of private interest or ambition to influence them to betray, nor the terrors of poverty and disgrace, or the fear of danger or of death deter them from asserting the liberty of their country, and endeavoring to transmit to their posterity those sacred rights to which themselves were born.”

Well there it is, isn’t it?

More soon.