[sammyg2]

While I agree with the 13 points, Ben Franklin is probably not a person to take advice from especially on matters of chastity and moderation. He was a womanizing drinker who constantly had at least one mistress and refused to support or even acknowledge his illegitimate children. His writings in poor Richard's Almanac are not consistent with his lifestyle. Had he lived in modern times he'd be a great democrat. He was definitely a "dandy".

Much like Jerry lewis, franklin was more popular in France than he was in the US.
In fact when the American revolution began he bid a hasty retreat to France.
Some historians suggest his purpose was to try and convince the French to join us and fight the British, while others say that was an excuse to flee the conflict.
Was he the first draft dodger? We'll never know, but his reported efforts to get the French to help nearly failed. Only after the British were cornered and the war was nearly over did they show up.

There are many founding fathers who deserve admiration more than Franklin, Men like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison who are almost single-handedly responsible for writing our constitution and designing the greatest system of government ever conceived.