More truthfully: he has long been one of my idols.
He gave much needed inspiration to the struggling American Revolutionists with his brilliant and resolute pamphleteering. These wonderfully written thoughts, and his later works as well, speak to many today
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country..."
"No country can be called free which is governed by an absolute power; and it matters not whether it be an absolute royal power or an absolute legislative power, as the consequences will be the same to the people"
"To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture."
Gosh, given his important role in our nation's early history, I wonder why (as far as I know) there isn't a single school, street or town named after him?
I wonder why the MAGAggots of his time even denied him the right to vote?
Perhaps because of his interest in bridges, since they bring people together