James Madison Quote

"Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression.
In our Governments the real power lies in the majority of the community,
and the invasion of private rights is chiefly to be apprehended,
not from acts of Government contrary to the sense of its constituents,
but from acts in which the Government is the mere instrument of the
major number of the Constituents."

by:	James Madison (1751-1836), Father of the Constitution for the USA, 4th US President
Source:	in a letter to Thomas Jefferson in 1788
Rating:
Categories:	Collectivist, Congress, Democracy, Government, Oppression, Power, Rights
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I wish James was a member of Congress today.We need more Congressman with even a fraction of the vision and wisdom of our Founding Fathers.  -- KS., Queensbury,NY.      3
I agree, the NSA, CIA and all other espial organizations would be dead if he, unlike his current countrymen and fighters for "Iraqi" freedom and oppressors of Americans (NSA/C, CIA, NAMBLA, 4-H, Should be Jigoist Act but is called the Patriot Act, et al), were an influencial political figure now, or at least philosophical figure in politics. Gölök Zoltán Leenderdt Franco [Mes(-)Van Dongen] Buday Archives Archives Espial Resource  -- Gölök Zoltán Leenderdt Franco [Mes(-)Van Dongen] Buday, Vancouver, GVRD(Paine Cnty), BC(SU), USoEh!(USoA)      3
-- d
Most excellent!  -- mwelbornhp, LeRoy
Sadly the "real power" behind government is in the hands of international bankers who bought our system a long time ago. Economic slavery being the goal.  -- J Carlton, Calgary      2
Wow -- this describes what is going on today! Another reason for strict limits to power for our government administrators. There ought to be an Amendment to the Constitution forbidding the formation of a central bank and legal tender. I believe it is already in there, but no one seems to care or there seems to be no way to make Congress follow the rules. We need law enforcement in Congress!!  -- E Archer, NYC      4
Obviously the matter would be a quantum leap worse if the power resided in a MINORITY of the community. It is sad to see such ignorant blathering from a founding father or at least a framer.  -- Waffler, Smith      2
Waff, it all begins with the natural rights of the individual (the smallest minority there is) that he was born with innately and inalienably. Ignore this basic fact of life (truth) and you get the kind of corrupt government we got.  -- Anon      4
Only Waffler would quickly dismiss the words of the 'Father of the Constitution' because it does not support his wrong interpretation of the Constitution. I suppose the Federalist Papers are a bunch of dribble, too, eh, Waffler? Your ignorance knows no bounds.  -- E Archer, NYC      5
You look to much to authority with out questioning Archer. I have a picture of Madison's Montpelier on my dining room wall. I respect the founders and framers. I don't honor them as gods or hang on their every word taken out of context. I am a free man to think and analyse. By your remark you are nothing but a queslinq, nonthinking kiss upper.  -- Waffler, Smith      2
Profound and prophetic  -- Talon's Point      1
A large rope of truth runs through the general concept - with exceptions. Private rights, along with all other inalienable rights are not to be invaded or apprehended - by government or any number of constituents. Here, "majority" defines criminal activities - out of lawful / procedural order.  -- Mike, Norwalk      2
Waffler's ( private interpretation ) stands out. the disgruntled spirit within, corruption in high places ! The broken window, Mike. The boy broke the window, is all democracy wants to look at. The quote is exceptionally correct ! " Experience is not only of personal relevance but entwined with crucial cultural moments " " Jung ". Men separated unto the declaring of the Truth. That is why such a profound statement from a born statesman.  -- Ronw13, Yachats Or      2
James Madison is bad to the bone !!  -- Ronw13, Yachats Or      2
-- jim k, Austin
Waffler, it is really sad that collectivists such as yourself can NOT even fathom, make sense of or grasp in any way - in the absolute least, individual sovereignty or "the laws of nature or of nature's God" (Declaration of Independence). In the de jure States united the ability, authority and/or power were not to derive from a majority or minority but rather, a representation of individual sovereignty, inalienable rights and liberty at natural law (with We The People's — individual and in concert recognized common law).  -- Mike, Norwalk      3
how can you possibly miss the point so profoundly....this is a failing pathognomic of the cancer that is destroying all sense of individual rights, ie collectivism/democratic socialism/Marxism....no wonder we have lost our republic...  -- Jon, Tucson      1

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