The World Lived in Political Darkness Before the U.S. Constitution

On this Thursday, September 25, 2025 broadcast, Kim Monson explores the profound concept of God-given rights with Liberty Toastmasters president Marshall Dawson in studio, Discovery Institute senior fellow Scott Powell on the historical significance of America’s founding, and Cherry Creek School Board candidates Amanda Thayer and Tatiana Sturm on the battle for quality education.

The Revolutionary Promise of Unalienable Rights

Start listening at 71:56 – Hour 2

Scott Powell, senior fellow at the Discovery Institute and author of Rediscovering America, provides a compelling historical analysis of why America’s founding was truly revolutionary. Powell argues that prior to the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, the world lived in what he calls “political darkness,” where governments ruled over people without recognizing individual rights. The American experiment fundamentally inverted this relationship by declaring that rights come from God, not government, placing the people above their rulers for the first time in human history.

Powell traces the timeline from the 1776 Declaration through the six-year War of Independence to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, emphasizing that the Constitution codified the revolutionary ideas of the Declaration. He warns that Americans have strayed from these foundational principles, particularly since the Progressive Era when unelected government agencies began accumulating power that rightfully belongs to Congress. The tragic death of Charlie Kirk, Powell observes, has sparked a spiritual revival that may help restore America’s constitutional foundations.

“Prior to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, basically the world lived in what we could call political darkness. That is to say that governments always were in control of the people, that people really didn’t have true freedom.”

Scott Powell, Senior Fellow, Discovery Institute

Liberty Toastmasters Explores God-Given Rights

Start listening at 34:14 – Hour 1

Marshall Dawson, president of Liberty Toastmasters Denver, leads an engaging Table Topics discussion on the profound concept of God-given rights with fellow Toastmasters calling in to share their perspectives. Dawson explains the crucial distinction between “alienable” and “unalienable” rights, noting that unalienable rights cannot be separated from the individual regardless of what any government attempts. He emphasizes that by recognizing rights from God rather than government, Americans developed a unique ethos of freedom that enabled unprecedented creativity and flourishing.

Rick Rome frames life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as a “public policy holy trinity,” arguing that good policy must protect all three. Cathy Russell, scientist and author, connects the pursuit of happiness to dopamine and neural pathway formation, explaining how freedom to pursue goals makes Americans more creative. Fred Clifford offers a spiritual perspective on three levels of freedom from the Gospel of John. Christie Whaley reflects on Charlie Kirk’s example as a communicator who exercised free speech brilliantly.

“An unalienable right is something that cannot be separated. It doesn’t matter what you try to do. You know, that right is still going to be attached to that person. A government has the ability to deny rights, to usurp rights, to violate those rights. It doesn’t mean that you don’t have them though.”

Marshall Dawson, President, Liberty Toastmasters Denver

Fighting for Quality Education in Cherry Creek

Start listening at 102:48 – Hour 2

Amanda Thayer and Tatiana Sturm, both running for the Cherry Creek School Board, present a stark picture of declining academic achievement in what was once one of Colorado’s most sought-after districts. Thayer, a teacher and mother of two Cherry Creek graduates, highlights that less than 50% of students read at grade level and chronic absenteeism has reached 25%. The district has eliminated the valedictorian designation, removing a standard of excellence for students to strive toward.

Sturm, a real estate agent who has helped hundreds of families move to the district for its schools, notes that enrollment has declined by 4,500 students while administration has grown 16% over five years. Both candidates are running grassroots campaigns against union-backed opponents who received CEA support before the ballot was even finalized. They urge voters throughout the at-large district to support their campaign at experienceforcherrycreek.com.

“Right now, less than 50% of Cherry Creek students are reading at grade level, according to the latest CMAS scores. Research shows that students who struggle with reading often lose confidence, face higher risks of anxiety and depression.”

Amanda Thayer, Cherry Creek School Board Candidate

Citizen Initiative Challenges in Lakewood

Start listening at 10:48 – Hour 1

Karen Gordey, owner of Radiant Painting and Lighting and candidate for Lakewood City Council, exposes the bureaucratic obstacles facing citizens attempting to referendum the city’s new 398-page zoning code. Despite legislation supposedly making citizen initiatives easier, Gordey reports that co-petitioners have spent over a week going back and forth with the city over petition format requirements, including a two-day delay to approve spiral binding for the nearly 300-page document. With a deadline of October 27th to collect 3,500 signatures, the compressed timeline appears designed to thwart citizen participation.

“In talking to the two co-petitioners, nothing made it easier. It is absolutely more complicated than it was previously. The co-petitioners have been going back and forth with the City of Lakewood for over a week.”

Karen Gordey, Candidate, Lakewood City Council

Colorado Union of Taxpayers on Ballot Propositions

Start listening at 20:36 – Hour 1

Steve Dorman, board member of the Colorado Union of Taxpayers, breaks down Propositions LL and MM on the November ballot. Proposition LL asks voters to keep $12 million in overcollected taxes from the Proposition FF school lunch program, while MM would expand the program with new bureaucracies and tax increases on incomes over $300,000. Dorman notes that since TABOR’s enactment, voters have rejected tax increases 65% of the time, yet the legislature continues seeking more revenue rather than living within its means.

“How much money do you need? And he thought he was being clever. He smiled back at me and said, more. That was his answer. How much do you need? More. And it’s always more.”

Steve Dorman, Board Member, Colorado Union of Taxpayers