This piece was commissioned for a dear friend who recently retired from teaching social studies. As a history buff, she has always admired this founding father of the United States, Ben Franklin. And why not? To name a few accomplishments, he was a statesman, inventor, publisher, printer, abolitionist, as well as the first US Postmaster General (as a frequent user of our exceptional postal service, I really appreciate this last accomplishment) . While I have very mixed feelings about a number of America’s founders, this man embodied the best of the this young county’s spirit, and was a big believer in democracy. Thanks so much for this opportunity, Christa!