Our fourth president was an author of the famed Federalist Papers. He also was the primary author of the Constitution. He carved out a defined role for the federal government while leaving broad discretion for each state to create its own constitution for the many and undefined responsibilities of that state's governments. Despite writing a document that put strong restrictions on the role of central government, the scope of that government has done nothing but expand over that time such that now, 233 years later, we sit looking at the Dr. Frankenstein version of what was originally intended.
TILB cannot help but be pained by this evil.
From the Federalist Papers.
"The powers delegated to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, [such] as, war peace negotiation and foreign commerce. The powers reserved to the several states will extend to all the objects, which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties on the people".
- James Madison
