March 17, 2021
Pocatello/Chubbuck area residents have been meeting weekly at the Pine Ridge Mall…not for the walking circuit, but to study America’s founding documents and the literary works that influenced them. Led by Art da Rosa, the group meets every Monday from 5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. near the Deseret Book store. The group is currently examining The Federalist, commonly referred to as The Federalist Papers, a series of articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, and published in New York state newspapers in 1787 and 1788 in support of ratification of the U.S. Constitution. This last Monday, the group discussed essays 56 and 57, which focus on answering arguments against the Founders’ design of the House of Representatives. The group also has the option to meet in an online session posted on Sundays between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Mr. da Rosa has been leading the discussions for about three years. He generally posts the study material for each session one week before each meeting on their Facebook page, Patriots for Liberty and Constitution (found here: Patriots for Liberty and Constitution | Facebook ). Other works that have been studied include the Declaration of Independence, two of Frederic Bastiat’s famous works, the book of Deuteronomy, Montesquieu’s The Spirit of Laws, and John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government. There is no cost to join the discussion group. They do ask that participants get their books and read the material beforehand.
According to da Rosa, his decision to lead the group was inspired by his faith. He relates that, in the Book of Mormon, is the story of Alma, who, when he saw his nation in decline quit his judgeship in favor of preaching. This dedication to helping his nation prompted da Rosa to do his part to help educate others on the founding principles that made America a beacon of freedom to the world.
Patriots for Liberty and Constitution is open to all who love America, the Constitution, and the timeless principles of Freedom. To learn more, visit their Facebook page (link above).
