Our Country Is At Stake – John Kaminski

Becoming America: The Constitutional Convention of 1787

More than 200 years ago, leaders representing twelve of the thirteen States calling themselves the United States of America gathered gathered together in Philadelphia. Concerned about the lack of cooperation among the states, a looming economic crisis, potential insurrections in the states and unstable relations with foreign nations, their critical meeting led to the creation of the United States and a model of government unique in human history. Dr. John Kaminski, Director of the Center for the Study of the American Constitution, joins Judge Jim Gray, Bijan Kian and Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham to discuss how the Constitution was designed, debated and ratified and how it has survived for more than two hundred thirty years. Their conversation includes the issues dividing the delegates, primarily representation, taxation, creating an executive branch and judiciary, and slavery. Dr. Kaminski focuses on what has become known as the Great Compromise and the number one goal of the Convention – unity.