Kent State Professor Talks Liberty and Founding Fathers

Saturday at 3 p.m., retired Kent State Professor, Philip Weeks plans to educate an audience on the idea of liberty and what the founding fathers thought of it.

The hour-and-a-half presentation will take place in the 's lower-level chambers room.

As former history teacher, Weeks has plenty to share on the topic. Up until a year ago, he taught U.S. history and Ohio history courses at the university. Though he's no longer there, he still likes to instill knowledge in others.

"My concern over many years is the people who run the U.S. government increasingly don’t follow the constitution and, in fact, many entities violate it," Weeks said. "It’s a superb document, and it has the answers if one follows it."

His presentation will be to explain how the constitution and liberty tie together, especially at the start of our country. It is part of an independent Ron Paul organization, Summit County For Ron Paul, comprises more than 50 local members.

"Unaffiliated with the official campaign, they are all local residents who regularly volunteer their time and money towards their objective of helping to restore America to its Constitutional roots," according to a press release from Craig Thompson, co-organizer and press secretary of the group.

 Weeks called liberty a radical concept. He explained everyone is born with freedoms, yet some are led to believe they are given to us through government.

He'd like to get the word out about its origins and what liberty means. 

 "The principles that acted as inspiration for the framers of our Constitution had revolutionary effects on society, and he will present these timeless ideas as issues that still have a direct impact on our current way of life," stated the press release.

Republican candidate for 2012, Ron Paul's speeches frequently reference the idea of liberty. 

"Texas Rep. Ron Paul's libertarian message of less government, personal liberty and ending U.S. military involvement overseas clicks with young people, who are supplying zest for his stronger-than-expected presidential campaign," according to the Associated Press in an article last week.

Weeks said it will be a good mix to have his historical views shared while Ron Paul talks on the topic in campaign speeches. 

"With the Ohio primary coming up in March, I think it would be good opportunity for people to hear about it," Weeks said.