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.

Madison on Economic Uncertainty

James Madison understood economic uncertainty and its cause long before - and much better than - many today. That's the advantage of focusing one's mind on reality, particularly with regard to human nature. In Federalist 62, he writes:

“What prudent merchant will hazard his fortunes in any new branch of commerce when he knows not but that his plans may be rendered unlawful before they can be executed?

What farmer or manufacturer will lay himself out for the encouragement given to any particular cultivation or establishment, when he can have no assurance that his preparatory labors and advances will not render him a victim to an inconstant government?”

If the willfully clueless in D.C. absorbed only this one insight from Madison we would be much further along the road of a long-delayed recovery.

A Birthday Tribute to James Madison

On a day when Congress stands ready to rape the Constitution yet again, it's apropos to remember and celebrate James Madison's birthday, March 16th, 1751.

It's true that over the past century the superb plan he helped create and argue for is nearly in tatters. But the few freedoms we still enjoy today by right and not merely by historical inertia owe much to his thought and effort.

Thank you, Mr. Madison, and my sincere apology for those alleged Americans who have done so much over the decades to besmirch and butcher your extraordinary work.


[For an excellent compendium of the thought of the Father of the Constitution, see the Library of America volume: James Madison, Writings 1772-1836.]