Tag Archives: Legislative

First Principles: The Legislative Department Is Everywhere Extending the Sphere Of Its Activity and Drawing All Power Into Its Impetuous Vortex

“The legislative department is everywhere extending the sphere of its activity and drawing all power into its impetuous vortex.” – James Madison (1788)

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First Principles: The Principle of the Constitution Is That of A Separation of Legislative, Executive and Judiciary Functions, Except In Cases Specified

“The principle of the Constitution is that of a separation of legislative, Executive and Judiciary functions, except in cases specified. If this principle be not expressed in direct terms, it is clearly the spirit of the Constitution, and it ought … Continue reading

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First Principles: It Will Not Be Denied That Power Is of An Encroaching Nature and That It Ought To Be Effectually Restrained From Passing the Limits Assigned

“It will not be denied that power is of an encroaching nature and that it ought to be effectually restrained from passing the limits assigned to it. After discriminating, therefore, in theory, the several classes of power, as they may … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Accumulation of All Powers…In the Same Hands…Whether Hereditary, Self-Appointed, Or Elective, May Justly Be Pronounced the very Definition of Tyranny

“The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” – James Madison (1788) This … Continue reading

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First Principles: In Republican Government, the Legislative Authority Necessarily Predominates

 “In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates.” – James Madison, The Federalist No. 51

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First Principles: The Principle of the Constitution Is That of A Separation of Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary Functions, Except In Cases Specified

“The principle of the Constitution is that of a separation of legislative, Executive and Judiciary functions, except in cases specified. If this principle be not expressed in direct terms, it is clearly the spirit of the Constitution, and it ought … Continue reading

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First Principles: Charity Is No Part of the Legislative Duty of the Government

“Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” – James Madison (1794) I have no idea why followers of the Constitution and the rule of law would have any problem with a singular executive order that did … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Accumulation of All Powers, Legislative, Executive and Judiciary, In the Same Hands…May Justly Be Pronounced the Very Definition of Tyranny

“The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” – James Madison (1788)

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On the Articles of Confederation

In these down times, I am taking a moment to reexamine and better understand the Constitution.   The following is a look at the deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation under which America arose as a nation. On the Articles … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Judiciary Branch Does Not Decide Constitutionality of Laws Solely Nor Fully Independent of the Executive and Legislative Branches

“The opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves, in their own sphere of action, but for the Legislature and Executive also in their spheres, would make … Continue reading

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