"At the establishment of our constitutions, the judiciary bodies were supposed to be the most helpless and harmless members of the government. Experience, however, soon showed in what way they were to become the most dangerous; that the insufficiency of the means provided for their removal gave them a freehold and irresponsibility in office; that their decisions, seeming to concern individual suitors only, pass silent and unheeded by the public at large; that these decisions, nevertheless, become law by precedent, sapping, by little and little, the foundations of the constitution, and working its change by construction, before any one has perceived that that invisible and helpless worm has been busily employed in consuming its substance. In truth, man is not made to be trusted for life, if secured against all liability to account."
by:
Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President
Source:
letter to Monsieur A. Coray, Oct 31, 1823
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Reader comments about this quote:
So true of what we see today, a so called supreme court out of touch and control!
 -- Donald Lloyd, La Plata, MD     
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    Like just about everything in the modern federal government, the Judiciary is too big, too intrusive, too activist, and too powerful to grant its' judges lifetime appointments.
    All positions, whether elected or presidentially appointed, in the federal government should be for four years with half of the legislative and judiciary branch required to face election/reelection/reappointment every two years. Extensions of federal judge tenures beyond four years should require a two thirds approval by the U.S. Senate and House, and reelection of the President or any Congress person should require capturing sixty-five percent of the popular vote. Every position, in all branches, should be term limited to eight years. All lobbyists should be registered and their visits or other communications with elected or appointed government officials recorded in full and made available to the public.
    Career government service, other than military, must end as the lifeblood of government service requires the infusion of "new blood" on a regular basis in order to stay current and honest.
     -- Vince Ziccardi, San Antonio, TX     
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    Our greatest president.
     -- cal, Lewisville, tx     
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    Jefferson was one of the smartest people who ever lived.
     -- jim k, austin tx     
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     -- Mike, Norwalk      
    Federal government overreach has turned federalism into nationalism with the help of both political nationalist parties. As long as the judges continue to defend the obvious construction of the Commerce Clause to mean ANY activity whether commercial or not, whether private or public, whether interstate or intra-state, there is no check upon unlawful and unconstitutional acts of the federal government.

    The people are ever more confused by the media that continue to create the impression that all our problems are to be solved by a president. Frankly the president and the federal government in general are to keep their hands off the citizenry, their property, and their labors. Somehow we have gotten this notion that we 'need' a president to 'lead' us. Armies need to be led -- private citizens living their lives in peace do not need to be led, they need to be left to work and contract freely -- and keep the fruits of their labors. The issue is what it has always been: liberty vs. control.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Well said E Archer, NYC. Yet with any restorative project, there must needs be, Sound Leadership. Our Ship of State and current domestic affairs/issues demand a firm reliance upon Divine Providence and Commonsense concerning original intent. The Trump Era moves forward, where master builders are required.
     -- Ronw13, OR     
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    SCOTUS calls Bammycare a "tax".
    OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!

    DEATH TO TYRANTS

    ...that's what I think
     -- Mark W, Aurora, CO     
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    Thomas Jefferson truly was an honest to goodness wise Renaissance Man.
     -- Mary - MI     
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