The Federalist #2

Author - Jay

"Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government, and it is equally undeniable, that whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it some of their natural rights, in order to vest it with requisite powers."

This statement frightens me but it is absolutely true. I know a certain anarcho-capitalist who would say this statement is absolutely false. We must have government in some form. Where there is no government, one will spring up amongst the people for good or for evil. Therefore, a well planned, well-regulated government is in our best interest.

Why is government necessary? Because we are sinners. Without sin, there would be no need for governance because our conduct would be governed by our perfect consciences. We are sinners and need to be governed.

Unfortunately, those who would govern are also sinners and must be restrained by clear and enforceable law. It is that sinful nature which has caused the steady erosion of our protection against evil rule. The problem now is that The People no longer want a just and righteous government. How do we change that? I don't know; I'm open to ideas.

"A strong sense of the value and blessings of union induced the people, at a very early period, to institute a federal government to preserve and perpetuate it. They formed it almost as soon as they had a political existence; nay, at a time when their habitations were in flames, when many of their citizens were bleeding, and when the progress of hostility and desolation left little room for those calm and mature inquiries and reflections which must ever precede the formation of a wise and well-balanced government for a free people. It is not to be wondered at, that a government instituted in times so inauspicious, should on experiment be found greatly deficient and inadequate to the purpose it was intended to answer."

Patriot Act anybody? It was passed in haste and no one actually had time to read through the whole thing before signing it. On reflection it should be reviewed completely, vetted through the states and voted on by the people as was the Constitution itself.

Jay went on to observe:

"This intelligent people perceived and regretted these defects. Still continuing no less attached to union than enamored of liberty, they observed the danger which immediately threatened the former and more remotely the latter; and being persuaded that ample security for both could only be found in a national government more wisely framed, they, as with one voice, convened the late convention at Philadelphia, to take that important subject under consideration."

Alas, we have been unframed. The government which was instituted at that convention is no more. It has been replaced by something uglier and more monstrous than what they left behind on the shores of England.