Franklin started or funded many institutions, including libraries and schools, some of which are still here today in some form. Franklin would not believe how much the government does today or how many Americans live entirely on government assistance of various kinds. When it comes to our present form of government, Franklin would see that some of his worst fears have come true. A master of political compromise, Franklin would despise the factional paralysis in Congress. Franklin would see that all these came from the foundations he and the other Founders laid 250 years ago.