Southerner, American, Lover of Liberty, PhD of political science, professor, blogger.
There is a wealth of information and well thought out theory in the Federalist Papers. Hamilton says “No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid.” Click to read a brief breakdown of this key Hamilton quote.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading recently, specifically about Soviet Russia and how Communism actually worked. It’s been terrifying, enlightening, sobering and clarifying. My view of American liberty has shifted and evolved as a result. My view of Communism has also shifted and evolved. I don’t think I’ve ever really understood the horrors of communism before now and I’m still struggling to grapple with the vastness of its evil.
In one of my recent articles, I discussed the principle of nullification. Nullification is the idea that state governments can nullify a federal law. Essentially, nullification is when a state refuses to follow a federal law because the state deems that law unconstitutional. This is an interesting principle and is a controversial principle. Let’s use …
“Illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and more especially to give them knowledge of those facts, which history exhibiteth, that, possessed thereby of the experience of other ages and countries, they may be enabled to know ambition under all its shapes, and prompt to exert their natural powers to …
We assume the job of law enforcement is to enforce the law but is their job to “protect” the citizenry from other citizens? Seems like an odd question and one that, frankly, I don’t think I’ve ever asked before. Presumably some of the laws they are tasked with enforcing are meant to protect the citizenry; …
Are Police Constitutionally Required to Protect You? Read More »
“In the eyes of democracy, government is not a good; it is a necessary evil” (194). “This is seen very clearly in the United States, where wages seem in a way to decrease as the power of officials is greater” (204). – Alexis de Tocqueville An analogy has been crystalizing in my mind the more I …
Employer (The People), Employee (The Government) and Job Description (The Constitution) Read More »
Go with me on this. I think this type of thought experiment is heathy for Americans every once in a while since we’re so spoiled by our Constitution. Let’s just imagine daily life without a Constitution. That would mean that the government is completely unconfined and can do whatever it pleases. It is the final …
What is it that makes America so unique? Why has the U.S. Constitution lasted longer than any other written constitution in history? The answer is pivotal to protecting the U.S. Constitution. Read to find out!
I’ve reviewed the Constitution many times but I’ve never really touched on the Declaration of Independence. While the declaration was just that, a declaration, and has no legal effects on the political system of the U.S. today, it is a profound document, speaking volumes about the men and country who wrote it, so today I …
It’s fascinating to read these Federalist Papers and apprehend the thoughts of America’s greatest thinkers and founders. So much thought went into such a short document: the Constitution.
In this post, I finish up my analysis of Hamilton’s Federalist 78, in which he discusses the judiciary. His interpretation of the judiciary is perhaps more loose than that of some of the other founders (namely, Madison), but he shares the following fundamental belief with all his fellow founders—in all cases of law and interpretation, the Constitution is supreme.