My Newz 'n Ideas

It is my intent to express my opinion and to discuss current events. Feel free to make suggestions to fields you would like to see covered, and I will consider them. Please leave your name with comments. Thank you. Arabic: عربي.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Daily Quote 9/17/2006

Monday, 9/11/2006.
"How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments of every hostile nation?"

--James Madison (Federalist No. 41, 1788); Reference: The Federalist.

This is why we have a standing guard, and certainly, one much larger. But better? They already are the best, but they can always improve. Just as the rest is able.

Tuesday, 9/12/2006.
"Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks-no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea, if there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them."

--James Madison (speech at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 20 June 1788); Reference: The True Republican, French, ed. (28-29)

Hey Congress, did you ever read this one?

Wednesday, 9/13/2006.
"To give to every citizen the information he needs for the transaction of his own business; To enable him to calculate for himself, and to express and preserve his ideas, his contracts and accounts, in writing; To improve, by reading, his morals and faculties; To understand his duties to his neighbors and country, and to discharge with competence the functions confided to him by either; To know his rights; to exercise with order and justice those he retains; to choose with discretion the fiduciary of those he delegates; and to notice their conduct with diligence, with candor, and judgment; And, in general, to observe with intelligence and faithfulness all the social relations under which he shall be placed."

--Thomas Jefferson (Report of the Commissioners for the University of Virginia, 4 August 1818); Reference: Jefferson Writings, Peterson, ed., 459.

Amen.

Thursday, 9/14/2006.
"What is to be the consequence, in case the Congress shall misconstrue this part [the necessary and proper clause] of the Constitution and exercise powers not warranted by its true meaning, I answer the same as if they should misconstrue or enlarge any other power vested in them...the success of the usurpation will depend on the executive and judiciary departments, which are to expound and give effect to the legislative acts; and in a last resort a remedy must be obtained from the people, who can by the elections of more faithful representatives, annul the acts of the usurpers."

--James Madison (Federalist No. 44, 25 January 1788); Reference: Madison, Federalist No. 44

You've got that right...

Friday, 9/15/2006.
"[T]he present Constitution is the standard to which we are to cling. Under its banners, bona fide must we combat our political foes - rejecting all changes but through the channel itself provides for amendments."

--Alexander Hamilton (letter to James Bayard, April 1802); Reference: Selected Writings and Speeches of Alexander Hamilton, Frisch, ed. (511)

Please explain this to the Supremes.

Category: Constitutional Issues.