The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined.  Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.  The former [federal government] will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected.  The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people; and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State.

James Madison, “Father of the Constitution”  Federalist # 45, 1787-1788

[bold, italics and [federal govt.] added]

What are now described as “The Federalist Papers”, is a compilation of articles which began to appear in the “New York” journal in 1787-1788.  The author, James Madison, called himself “Publius”, and he wrote these articles to explain and urge the ratification of the new constitution.  Thomas Jefferson said these articles were “the best commentary on the principles of government which ever was written.”

What was the reason for instituting a new federal government?  Fear of invasion by a foreign power, like England did shortly thereafter in 1812.

The operations for the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the State government in times of peace and security.

 In my previous post encouraging everyone to read Our Constitution for themselves, I posited that our federal government was created with LIMITED POWERS.  I urged everyone to read, in context, the PLAIN language contained in our Constitution.  ”All legislative Powers herein GRANTED SHALL be vested in a Congress…” Article I, Section 1., and “The Congress SHALL have POWER TO . . .”  Article I, Section 8.

Not only do we have the plain language contained in our Constitution as evidence of intent for LIMITED POWERS.  We also have the words the “Father of our Constitution” wrote.  Here are Madison’s own words describing the Powers of the federal Government which he helped design:

HAVING shown that no one of the powers transferred to the federal government is unnecessary or improper, the next question to be considered is, whether the whole mass of them will be dangerous to the portion of authority left in the several States. …

“The powers transferred” language explains and infers only those powers actually transferred to the federal Government.  In other words, the federal government is being given a grant of limited powers, NOT all powers.

As designed, originally written, the STATE legislatures were required to elect the President, and the Senators, and had influence over the election of the House of Representatives.  Additionally Madison wrote in urging the States would retain and have more power than the new federal government.:

The number of individuals employed under the Constitution of the United States will be much smaller than the number employed under the particular States.  There will consequently be less of personal influence on the side of the former than of the latter [federal govt.] …

What could be more clear than Madison’s words when he wrote? :

…we may pronounce the advantage of the States to be DECISIVE.

For the last century our elected federal officials have been making promises that could not be kept in the long run.   Our current elected federal officials are making promises they know cannot be kept in the short run.  They are LIEING to us with their promises.  I hope for a change of course, made peaceably at the ballot box before ANARCHY arrives.  If Anarchy arrives before peaceable correction, does anyone really believe they can trust those who caused this Anarchy to look to the best interest of ALL Americans?  We must educate ourselves, our families, our friends and neighbors. Now is the time !  We only need to RE-INSTITUTE  our ORIGINAL Constitution !