After reading Volume 2, the biggest takeaway for me was that America is founded on the principles of religion and education. 

“The Americans show, by their practice, that they feel the high necessity of imparting morality to democratic communities by means of religion”.
And
“I do not know whether all the Americans have a sincere faith in their religion, for who can search the human heart? But I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions.”
Yet according to Paul Johnson’s A History of the American People, we have allowed this foundation to disappear.  The “authority of the state, and notably the courts-and especially the Supreme Court-did everything in their power to reduce the role of religion in the affairs of the state, and particularly in the education of the young…”   In many cases, there is hostility to religion and morals, just as there is hostility by some towards those who see the education system as a harmful place to send their children. 
Democracy in America, published a long time ago, may be challenging to read, but I believe it can show us the way to reestablish a culture of freedom as we focus on building families and communities that adopt a different perspective on religion and education.  If we can look at the moral laws that Christianity teaches and bring them back into the home and community, it could change everything. 
The family is the foundation of a community; if we start fixing the family, we will fix the community around us.  Learning to build a family culture will take work and energy; that is true, but starting to educate ourselves in the great classics will help speed the process along.  In Volume 2 of Democracy in America, the author compares the European way (aristocracy) and the American way (democracy) of doing things.  Looking at each side and picking the best of both worlds will build incredibly strong families and communities.  Reading books that share the family culture will give us much to discuss and practice.  If we don’t focus on building a family culture that promotes freedom and education, we will find ourselves more and more enslaved to the culture around us that tells us that we need leaders to direct us.  That we need to go back to an aristocracy, or worse, a tyranny.  

Jim Hawkins has, for his example the following people:
           *His father an innkeeper,
           *Billy Bones, an old pirate,
           *Squire Trelawney, a magistrate,
           *Dr. Livesey, a doctor and constable,
           *Long John Silver, a charismatic pirate (the antagonist of the story), and
           *Captain Smollett, the captain of the Hispaniola
 
The character that is the most dynamic in the story is Long John Silver.  Long John has to charm his way into everyone’s graces and is kind, along with being corrupt.  When his kindness and charm don’t work, he is willing to use violence and force.  He appears to be the most thoughtful member of the group.  He has no moral compass and is loyal to himself only.  The other characters in the story are not as dynamic.  His father is afraid of Billy Bones and dies early in the story.  Squire Trelawney is foolish; Captain Smollett is knowledgeable, wise, and uncompromising. Dr. Livesey is an honest man who will help others and seems very gentle, yet is seeking to find the treasure suggested by the map.
Jim is young and looking for adventure.  He puts his faith in his own abilities and does not follow the captain's or doctor’s instructions; he does not join the pirates but is manipulated by others. However, he survives and returns with his share of the treasure.  The story does not really tell you what Jim does after, only that he continues to have nightmares about his experiences.  You are left wondering what type of person Jim becomes and what he does with his share of the treasure.  You are also left wondering which character Jim chooses to follow and why. 
The two characters most present in the story are Dr. Livesey and Long John Silver.  Of these two men, which is the one who will have the most impact on Jim, and why? Jim starts out as a very timid boy, but by the end, he outwits the pirates and rescues the ship.  He has shown more courage, charisma, and independence than the captain, squire, or doctor.  It seems he has learned much from Long John Silver.  How will these events shape him and his decision-making in the future?  Will he develop the characteristics of an English gentleman, a pirate, or a bit of both?