James Madison and the Case Against Compromise
Over the three days spanning from July 2 to July 5, 1787, the attendees at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia approved a resolution that would sufficiently satisfy the demands of ...
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The Anti-Commandeering Doctrine Isn’t About Constitutionality
State and local governments can legally refuse to cooperate with the enforcement of federal laws and the implementation of federal programs. And this is key – whether those laws or programs ...
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Alexander Hamilton’s “Implied Powers” Wrecked the Constitution
By: Mike Maharrey During the ratification debates, supporters of the Constitution insisted that the new general government would only exercise the powers explicitly enumerated in the document. But less than three years ...
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James Madison: Four Steps to Stop Federal Programs
By: Michael Boldin Writing in Federalist #46, James Madison provided a 4-step strategy to bring down federal programs, whether they’re merely unpopular, or unconstitutional. Here’s what he had to say in the ...
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The Anti-Commandeering Doctrine: An Introduction
By: Mike Maharrey The anti-commandeering doctrine provides a powerful tool to undermine overreaching, unconstitutional federal power. So, what is this doctrine? What is it based upon? And how can it be ...
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James Madison: How to Defeat Federal Programs
By: Michael Boldin In response to the hated Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, on Dec 21 and Christmas Eve, Virginia passed a series of resolutions penned by James Madison. Learn ...
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Embracing what the Founders Sought to Destroy
By: Michael Boldin The Founding generation fought a long, bloody war to free themselves from an empire – the largest government in history at the time. Today, they’re probably rolling in ...
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The Nature of the Federal Government
By: Mike Maharrey We have flipped the American constitutional system on its head. It operates exactly the opposite of how the supporters of the Constitution said it would. So, what type ...
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How to Confront the Most Powerful Government in History
By: Mike Maharrey “Refuse to cooperate with officers of the Union.” That was a big part of James Madison’s advice for defeating federal programs.
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Constitution Research Guide: How to Read an 18th Century Legal Document
By: Michael Boldin How do you get to the original, legal meaning of a word, phrase, article, clause or section of the Constitution? Following the advice of the founders – ...
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