November 1, 2013 --

On Obamacare:

"It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.... Law is defined to be a rule of ation; but how can that be a rule, which is little known and less fixed.

"[E]very new regulation concerning commerce or revenue, or in any manner affecting the value of the diffferent species of property, presents a new harvest to those who watch the change, and can trace its consequences; a harvest reared not by themselves, but by the toils and cares of the great body of their fellow citizens. This is a state of things in which it may be said, with some truth, that laws are made for the few, not for the many." Madison, Federalist No. 58.

On Bill de Blasio's candidacy for mayor of New York City:

"[A] dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people, than under the forbidding appearances of zeal for the firmness and efficienciy of government. History will teach us, that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism, than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career, by paying an obsequious court to the people...commencing damagogies, and ending tyrants." Hamilton, Federalist No. 1.

On Constitutional Authority and the House of Representative:

"The house of representatives can not only refuse, but they alone can propose the supplies requisite for the support of government. They, in a word, hold the purse....This power over the purse may, in fact, be regarded as the most complete and effectual weapon, with which any constitution can arm the immediate representatives of the people, for obtaining a redress of every grievance, and for carrying into effect every just and salutary measure....

"[T]he utmost degree of firmness that can be displayed by the federal senate or president, will not be more than equal to a resistance (from the House of Representatives], in which they will be supported by constitutional and patriotic principles." Madison, Federalist No. 58.

On Obamacare and Bill de Blasio's mayoral candidacy:

"A bad cause seldom fails to betray itself." Madison, Federalist No. 41.

On Special Treatment for Congress:

[A] "vigilant and manly spirit...actuates the people of America; a spirit which nourishes freedom, and in rreturn is nourished by it.
"If this spirit shall ever be so far debased, as to tolerate a law not obligatory on the legislature, as well as on the people, the people will be prepared to tolerate any thing but liberty." Madison, Federalist No. 57

On Crony Capitalism:

[The] "ambitious sacrifice of the many, to the aggrandizement of the few." Madison, Federalist No. 57.

On the Powers of the Federal Government.

"The powers delegated by the proposed constitution to the federal government, are few and defined." Madison, Federalist No. 45.

On the Nature of Power:

"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." Madison, Federalist No. 48.

On the Aim of Constitutions:

The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first, to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and moast virtue to pursue, the common good of the society; and in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous, whilst they continue to hold their public trust." Madison, Federalist No. 57.

On the Purpose of Government:

"Justice is the end of government, It is the end of civil society. It ever has been, and ever will be, pursued, until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.