Wednesday, March 16, 2011

In Honor of Madison's Birthday

James Madison's birthday is always a good occasion to offer yet another quote from the country's greatest political philosopher.
"If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare, and are the sole and supreme judges of the general welfare, they may take the care of religion into their Own hands.

They may appoint teachers in every state, county, and parish, and pay them out of their public treasury; they may take into their own hands the education of children, establishing in like manner schools throughout the Union; they may assume the provision for the poor; they may undertake the regulation of all roads other than post-roads.

In short, every thing, from the highest object of state legislation down to the most minute object of police, would be thrown under the power of Congress; for every object I have mentioned would admit of the application of money, and might be called, if Congress pleased, provisions for the general welfare."

On the Cod Fishery Bill, granting Bounties. 2/3/1792
When we once again have politicians who will stand up in Congress and say this, our major troubles will be at an end.

3 comments:

Michael said...

this is off-topic, but hopefully you can publish that article on enviro-paganism soon

cheers

-bjp said...

Sadly, There isn't a Republican in the House or Senate who believes entirely in what Madison wrote, let alone would stand up and fight for it! Ron Paul not with standing!

Jeffrey Perren said...

Michael,

Provide me an email address and I'll send you the essay. In looking it over, I wouldn't want to (re)publish it as it stands, but I'm happy to provide you with a copy if you're interested.

Jeff

P.S. My email address is in my blogger profile.