American inventor La Marcus Adna Thompson was born in 1848 in a small town in Ohio. In spite of designing and building a butter churn at 12 and being a master carpenter at 17, he made his fortune manufacturing women's hosiery. After a mental breakdown in the 1880's, La Marcus sold his hosiery business and went back to his first love - inventing. What does a man who's recovering from the ups and downs of mental illness invent? The roller coaster.
Another American ride is the car. A recent survey showed that Americans spend more time researching car purchases than home loans. This could be because we spend an average of $7,000 every year on car purchases and maintenance. If life gives you a lemon, you're meant to turn it into lemonade. With the Lemon Law you can turn your car into the dealer or manufacturer. In 2005 62% of new lemons and 61% of used ones were replaced or repurchased - which proves the American Lemon Law is fruitful.
Mother's Day is another American invention. It was invented by Anna Jarvis, a West Virginia woman, who was inspired by her community activist mother and wanted to create a memorial for all mothers. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson approved a resolution to make the second Sunday in May a national holiday, but the holiday didn't turn out the way Anna wanted. She wanted children to express gratitude to their mothers in letters and to give their mothers white carnations as a symbol of the purity of a mother's love. When children started giving their mothers commercial greeting cards instead, Anna started a petition to rescind Mother's Day. She also protested at a Mother's Day celebration in New York and was arrested for disturbing the peace. Anna never married and never had children. Being the mother of Mother's Day might have been too mom - entous for her.
Although fireworks aren't an American invention, that might change. Fireworks were originally invented by the Chinese in the 12th century and were used to scare away evil spirits. Although China is the world's largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks, it might not be able to export 120.000 tons to the U.S. next year. Fireworks that use compressed air instead of gun powder - and thus have less fumes and more accuracy - have been patented by the Walt Disney Company. You can't get more American than that.
The Fathers concerned themselves with designing a federal economy, leaving the question of who got the vote and what that vote meant to the states. Granted, most, if not all, states initially reserved the right to vote to white, male landowners.
These same states, however, steadily liberalized their election laws. By the late 1800s, nearly every state operated under a constitution approved by referendum and every state in the 45 elected its governor at the polls.
Direct democracy at the state/local level predates the federal constitution and has remained a constant of American democracy.
* Pre-colonial Rhode Island offered its citizens the initiative and referendum.
* The Massachusetts constitution of 1780, while promulgated by convention, included a provision by which the people could demand changes, and a 1795 referendum approved the document as written.
* The original Georgia Constitution required amendments to originate by initiative petition. The Fathers saw no problem in Georgia -- initiative requirement and all -- joining the Union.
* In 1786, New Hampshire's lawmakers found themselves besieged by petitions for relief signed by those with no gold or silver to pay their debts. The legislature responded by drafting a tepid, inadequate response, sending it to the towns for a referendum vote and washing ?its hands of the annoying subject.?
* The 1852 Vermont legislature passed a prohibition statute and referred it to the people. The state's Supreme Tribunal endorsed the action, reasoning that the legislators, as ?the mere agents and instruments of the people,? could surely appeal to the populace as to the wisdom of legislation.
* In 1846, even Congress endorsed the practice of referring questions to voters. The law receding parts of Virginia took effect only if approved by the residents of the affected county.
In Oregon, considered the birthplace of direct democracy in America, the democratic pedigree stretches back to before the Sunset State joined the Union.
If the story is to be believed, the Oregon Territory escaped the jaws of the British Lion in large part because Joe Meek convinced enough of those gathered at Champoeg to join him on his side of the line -- Direct Democracy at its most basic.
Indeed, according to a relatively-contemporary commentator writing in a California newspaper, the first white residents of the Oregon Territory shared ?an almost religious devotion to the principle of popular self-government.?
The bill granting Oregon statehood required that the proposed state constitution be submitted to the people. This, said turn-of-last-century Gov. T.T. Geer -- the first Oregon governor born in Oregon -- established public participation at ?the first rattle out of the box.?
When George H. Williams proposed placing a legislative referendum power in the original Oregon Constitution, other delegates responded that American legislatures didn't need express permission to refer an issue to the ballot.
Both Knight Pierce Hirst & Greg Wasson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Knight Pierce Hirst has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Humour and Internet Marketing. KNIGHT PIERCE HIRST takes humorous looks at life. at. Knight Pierce Hirst's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.
Greg Wasson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Humour, Legal Matters and Politics. Greg Wasson researches the history of the by relying on the materials stored at the. Greg Wasson's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.