Category — Constitution

"Centralized control in the U.S. Department of Education would upset the system of checks and balances between different levels of government, creating greater opportunities for special interests to use their national political leverage to distort policy." But centralized control is precisely what this administration seeks to achieve.   Read the rest of this entry »

A few weeks back, it was my good fortune to visit Montpelier. It may have been my favorite of the presidential homes I visited (the others being Mount Vernon, Ash Lawn, and Monticello). At all of these places I especially enjoyed visiting with the guides and other folks who are clearly passionate about what they do. At Montpelier, Jim Walker generously agreed to share some of his knowledge of James Madison, the father of the Constitution.   Read the rest of this entry »

The Founders intended the ultimate check on the national government to be the people. They believed that only by limiting government powers could liberty survive the natural tendency of man to dictate the habits of other men.   Read the rest of this entry »

At the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Franklin was queried as he left Independence Hall on the final day of deliberation. In the notes of Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland’s delegates to the Convention, a lady asked Dr. Franklin “Well Doctor what have we got, a republic or a monarchy.” Franklin replied, “A republic . . . if you can keep it.”   Read the rest of this entry »

The Constitutional Convention was an astonishing accomplishment. Some say it was a miracle. The members of the convention surmounted numerous hurdles - including agreeing to exceed the bounds of their instructions from Congress. Bearing the heat, flies, and short tempers, the delegates pounded through numerous debates and arrived at a consensus.   Read the rest of this entry »

Senate Bill 679 is another really bad idea at best. At worst it's another intentional power grab to subvert the power of the Senate and place still more in the hands of the worst president in our lifetimes. Either way it's a dangerous usurpation of the power of the Senate to check the power of the Executive.   Read the rest of this entry »

The Heritage Guide To The Constitution is a reference that no home should be without. James explains why you need it and what it's for.   Read the rest of this entry »

George Mason was one of three attendees present at the close of the Constitutional Convention who refused to sign. He couldn't be bought. He stood on principle because of his serious doubts about a Constitution lacking a bill of rights. He was right to be concerned.   Read the rest of this entry »

Hamilton and Madison draw on their study of ancient history to show that even the wisest confederacies are prone to dissension and dissolution. They conclude that there is more to fear from the anarchy of its members than from the tyranny of its federation.   Read the rest of this entry »

In less than three hundred words, the convention delegates instructed Congress on ratification and the mechanics for starting a brand new government from scratch. They far exceeded their mandate and it's a good thing they did.   Read the rest of this entry »