Tag Archives: Power

First Principles: A Constitution Is Not the Act of A Government, But of A People Constituting A Government, and A Government Without A Constitution Is A Power Without Right

“A Constitution is not the act of a Government, but of a people constituting a government, and a government without a constitution is a power without right.” – Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791

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First Principles: Where An Excess of Power Prevails, Property of No Sort Is Duly Respected. No Man Is Safe In His Opinions, His Person, His Faculties, or His Possessions

“Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions.” – James Madison (1792)

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First Principles: I Consider the Foundation of the Constitution As Laid On This Ground That ‘All Powers Not Delegated To the United States, By the Constitution, Nor Prohibited By It To the States, Are Reserved To the States Or To the People

“I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that ‘all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.’ … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Essence of Government Is Power, and Power, Lodged As It Must Be In Human Hands, Will Ever Be Liable To Abuse

“The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.” – James Madison (1829)

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Thought For the Day: Kindness Is In Our Power Even When Fondness Is Not

“Kindness is in our power even when fondness is not.” – Henry James

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The Importance of Keeping Our History

The Importance of Keeping Our Historyby Michael DoyleMoving back the veil of mysteryWe remember the truths of historyTelling the truth as truth is meantAnd so providing the roots of our governmentFramed within moments of vivid reflectionTo take us back to … Continue reading

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Thought For the Day: Power Tends To Corrupt, and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” – Lord Acton (1834-1902)

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Through the Years

Through the Yearsby Michael DoyleSilently in my day to dayI live just as I prayNeeding a miracle some wayKnowing that at least God will stayEvery step grows my walkTaking my soul beyond talkInto the power of my emotionsEvery lesson strengthens … Continue reading

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In the Bard’s Memory

In the Bard’s Memoryby Michael DoyleThere is something in elevated speechThat touches the depths of our soulsKeeping these words close within reachIs truly something worthy to extolIt’s something far greater than fallacyTo believe that words and phrases hold powerI say … Continue reading

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First Principles: All Men Having Power Ought To Be Distrusted

“All men having power ought to be distrusted…” – James Madison (1787)

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