This is an I-Heart podcast.

What I told people, I was making a podcast about Benghazi.

Nine times out of ten, they called me a masochist, rolled their eyes, or just asked, why?

Benghazi, the truth became a web of lies.

From prologue projects and Pushkin Industries, this is Fiasco, Benghazi.

What difference at this point does it make?

Listen to Fiasco, Benghazi, on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

You know, This is Lee Habib, and this is Our American Stories.

It's no small miracle that the United States is the longest standing constitutional republic in the world.

After all, data shows the shelf life of the average democracy is about 58 years before falling

into despotism or otherwise transitioning.

It's a good thing we're not average, but we almost were.

Here to share the story of how George Washington refused to become a king, despite very real

attempts to make him one, is Vince Benedetto, the founder of Bold Gold Media Group, and a regular

contributor here at Our American Stories.

Take it away, Vince.

Thank you. American stories. Take it away, Vince. It was not long after the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, when Washington's decisive victory over

the British all but ended the Revolutionary War. A triumphant Washington made his new headquarters

in Newburgh, where he awaited word of a treaty that would formally end the war.

But there were problems on the home front.

Washington had to maintain the Continental Army in a state of readiness

should peace negotiations fail, and his army was suffering, and worst of all, largely

...