James Madison
Evaluate the Constitutionality of Any Federal Act in Two Easy Steps
It’s often pretty easy to know whether or not a federal action is constitutional. In his Report of 1800, James Madison gave us a simple 2-step process to determine constitutionality. First: “Whenever, therefore a question arises concerning the constitutionality of a...
Stop the Feds: James Madison-Style
From a four-step plan to undermine and defeat federal programs in 1788, to a duty to interpose in 1798 – and nullification as a natural right in 1834 – James Madison saw the states and people as essential checks on federal power. Path to Liberty: July 13,...
The Other 16th Amendment: Separation of Powers
James Madison considered the separation of powers so important he not only called it a “dogmatic maxim,” he expressly included it as the 16th of his proposed Amendments to include a Bill of Rights. Path to Liberty: May 2, 2022...
Taxation is Theft is Actually a Big Understatement
A lot of my friends like to use the phrase “taxation is theft.” I do as well. But if we adopted the view of James Madison – we’d see this as a pretty huge understatement. Taxation is actually one of the primary tools of oppression. View this...