Comments (13)

• RogerM

  Thanks for the review. Sounds like an excellent book.

  If people didn't like the federalist system, as obviously many have not and do not, the founders provided a means to change things via ammendments to the constitution. But courts and politicians didn't want to go to that much trouble and have never felt bound to the Constitution. The limits of a republic irritated them; they wanted a democracy. So instead of ammending the Constitution, which would have required serious debate and persuasion of a majority of the voters, they have chosen instead to ignore the Constitution, in the case of politicians, or interpret away the difficulties in the case of the Supreme Court. Of course, the American people bear the ultimate blame because they keep electing politicians who are intent on destroying the Constitution.

  The primary job of the President is to defend the Constitution. Instead, most have undermined it.

  Published: August 16, 2007 3:21 PM

• billwald

  I propose the Constitution be rescinded and we become 50 sovereign nations under a revised Articles of Confederation. Or maybe ask the Queen to take us back.

  Published: August 16, 2007 9:44 PM

• Niccolò

  "If people didn't like the federalist system, as obviously many have not and do not, the founders provided a means to change things via ammendments to the constitution. But courts and politicians didn't want to go to that much trouble and have never felt bound to the Constitution."
  - RogerM

  So... Different route, same place. EXCELLENT!

  
  But... If you don't mind... I have a better explanation.

  Governments are corrupt, absolutely and indefinitely, a little debate isn't going to change this fact.

  Lets admit your precious forefathers (as an Italian I don't really much dig into the mystic paganism of Foundingfatherology) were wrong for bagging the AoC, they were wrong for pushing forward, and that we will now abandon them, as we've abandoned morality many times before.

  Published: August 17, 2007 3:21 AM

• Jon Matthews

  Lets face it, the Constitution is dead. Madison mortally wounded it, and Lincoln and the Radical Republicans put it out of it's misery.

  The only time it is brought up is when politicians are waving their flags and pretending to be patriots and when the Supreme Court becomes displeased with something.

  Nothing but a brain-washing device used by the destroyers.

  The only rules that the government lives by are the rules of force. They fear not the ballot, only the sword.

  Published: August 17, 2007 12:16 PM

• Bill Barnett

  I think that Marshall injected the fatal doses of judicial supremacy (Marbury v Madison)over the other branches and national-governmental supremacy (McCullogh v Maryland)over state governments. Therefore along with Hamilton and Lincoln (not to mention the two R cousins and Wilson) John Adams has to be viewed as one of the underminers.

  I sometimes wonder if there was a key S.Ct. decision that wrote the the 9th A out of the Constitution.

  Published: August 17, 2007 1:33 PM

• Niccolò

  What do you expect from a government that was created through a coup d'etat?

  Er... What exactly do you expect from a government at all?

  
  Oh yeah... Healthcare candy and war popsicles.

  Published: August 17, 2007 4:25 PM

• Eric

  Jon, Bill, Niccolo, agree.

  So, what's to be done? Where can you live in this world today without being subject to some government. While some might be better than others (eg. Holland has less wars and more personal freedom, but is still socialistic regarding taxes).

  This is my empirical proof that a free anarchistic libertarian government cannot exist. I think it's just human nature. Or just nature in general, look at how many species of parasites there are. Some are multiple levels deep, where some parasites live off of other parasites that ...

  Sort of like how some parasites live off the government. Hmmm, too many expamples here to be able to even list them all.

  Published: August 17, 2007 7:26 PM

• Jay

  I hate the idea that runs through much of current, simplistic statist thought that the Articles of Confederation was the beta version and the Constitution is the much improved version 2.0.

  How little they know of history.

  It is the Whig theory of history presented in technological terms.

  Published: August 17, 2007 8:34 PM

• Anthony

  "This is my empirical proof that a free anarchistic libertarian government cannot exist. I think it's just human nature. Or just nature in general, look at how many species of parasites there are. Some are multiple levels deep, where some parasites live off of other parasites that ..."

  It is hardly a proof, nor has it anything to do with human nature. It has to do with a majority of victims acquiescing to a parisitic statist ruling class. BTW, with parasitism the host and the parasite are of different species.

  Published: August 17, 2007 8:39 PM

• Anthony

  Edit: I should clarify - "parasitism in nature".

  Published: August 17, 2007 8:41 PM

• Roger

  Jay wrote[div class=excerpt]I hate the idea that runs through much of current, simplistic statist thought that the Articles of Confederation was the beta version and the Constitution is the much improved version 2.0.[/div]

  I am afraid that there is a certain presidential candidate,who most libertarians have gone all gaga over who may well believe this,given that every other sentence out his mouth,is nothing but praise of The Constitution.Someone needs to ask him,what he thinks of The Articles of Confederation,as I do not believe I have ever heard anybody do so.

  Published: August 18, 2007 10:57 PM

• Kathy H

  You must be referring to Ron Paul?? Well, at least this man anknowledges that we are supposed to be living in a constitutional republic, per the constitution,... NOT a democracy (mob-rule) per all the talking heads on both the left and the right. As we inch our way toward dictatorship, we desperately need men to lead according to the constitution. Me thinks it is already too late.

  Published: August 18, 2007 11:36 PM

• Anthony

  I quite enjoyed the PIG to Capitalism, so I'll give this a look.

  Published: August 19, 2007 9:40 PM