The Goodness Party is inspired by the thoughts, actions, and spirit of goodness exemplified in our first American: Benjamin Franklin.
Franklin, more than anyone, was responsible for the establishment of the United States of America. He is the only Founding Father to have played important roles in and signed all four of the key documents establishing our nation: the Declaration of Independence [1776], the Treaty of Alliance with France [1778], the Treaty of Paris establishing peace with Great Britain [1783], and the U.S. Constitution [1787].
And Franklin, more than anyone, was the first poster child for the original American Dream, in which all people can live better, fuller, and richer lives through equality, freedom, justice, opportunity, and effort. Franklin came from a poor family and limited formal schooling to become a successful businessman and author through ability, self-improvement, and diligence. He retired as a printer at age 42.
Even more inspirational was his belief in goodness as a personal and civic responsibility. It was his actions to improve his goodness and do good deeds for others that made him successful in his accomplishments and as a human being.
Inward, Franklin asked himself each morning with “What good shall I do this day?” and concluded his evening with “What good have I done today?” He identified thirteen virtues and tried to make them habits.
Outward, he performed many acts of goodness for the public good. He founded libraries, fire departments, militias, hospitals, public schools, and sanitation projects. He invented lightning rods, bifocal eyeglasses, matching grants, and better wood-burning stoves. He was a first-rate scientist, exploring and furthering the world’s understanding of electricity, ocean currents, climate, and population growth. He was an outstanding diplomat and philosopher that made the United States a reality.
No person is perfect, which is why no person should be put on a pedestal. Through goodness in character, Franklin was often open-minded to see his wrongs, improve himself and his views, and change for the better. His views of slavery evolved from owning slaves to becoming an outspoken president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. On behalf of the Society, he presented a formal abolition petition to Congress in February 1790.
The Goodness Party believes it is worth looking at Franklin’s goodness in thoughts, actions, and spirit for inspiration and guidance.