Federalist No. 62: “Laws so voluminous that they cannot be read”…
[EDIT: Please note that I've changed the title of this post in the interest of historical accuracy, and not to pretend that I didn't make a mistake.....the following quote is from Federalist No. 62, not 61 as originally cited. Admin]
James Madison, officer in the Continental Army, hero of The American Revolution, diarist of the debate over the U.S. Constitution, author of the Bill of Rights, fourth President of the United States, writing under the pseudonym “Publius” in what we call “The Federalist Papers”:
It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man who knows what the law is today can guess what it will be tomorrow. Law is defined to be a rule of action; but how can that be a rule which is little known, and less fixed?
Is there anything else that could possibly be more eloquently and perfectly stated about what is going on in our country right now? What a black eye Obamaism has been for our politics. What an embarrassment. What a potential, and likely, disaster? Give me Dead White Males, any day of the week.
After many years as a student of history and politics, that’s the one and only quote I have hanging on my wall in the office, a gift from my sister, who knew how much I revered it. I’ve used it many times over the years (most recently, here) , but it’s never seemed more poignant than it does right now, in the era of American citizens who vote for American politicians with the same intensity and depth of thought with which they vote for American Idol contestants. For shame.
Haven’t written much here lately, too busy with other things, and besides, my cynicism is not feeling that amused, right now. I feel like I’m watching a Keystone Kops version of the Wehrmacht—–goose-stepping down Pennsylvania Ave., with a propped-up quisling media corps (aka “the Clown Brigade”) flashing “heil” salutes along the way. We have finally become ridiculous as a polity.
And you missed the fact that Obama was all style over substance ?
RELATED: The Anchoress on the Ironic presidency, and the silent coup.
CORRECTION: It has been pointed out to me by commenter Jason that this quote is actually from Federalist #62, not #61 as posted. I appreciated the gentle correction, although I still think it was Madison.
StickerShock:
The Madison quote is perfect. And Chris Muir’s cartoon is pure genius.
18 February 2009, 6:22 pmdriver:
The Internet is now our version of “The Federalist.” Hope we don’t get shut down, under the guise of “Fairness.”
18 February 2009, 6:41 pmPat:
I think we’re all feeling the helplessness of our situation at this time – its like watching a train wreck, day after day.
Driver, if you find out that there is a viable candidate to run against Specter, please let your readers know so we can donate and help send a message to A.S. about turning his back on his party — he needs a forced retirement.
18 February 2009, 10:29 pmA Prescient Warning From a Founding Father:
[...] Amused Cynic points out this centuries-old but all-too-relevant warning from James Madison in Federalist No. 61: It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man who knows what the law is today can guess what it will be tomorrow. Law is defined to be a rule of action; but how can that be a rule which is little known, and less fixed? [...]
19 February 2009, 6:07 amCelebrate Free Speech While it Lasts! | The Anchoress:
[...] Federalist No. 61: “Laws so voluminous that they cannot be readâ€â€¦ White House Propaganda being well-propagated Fascist? You keep using that word The Savior-based [...]
19 February 2009, 3:25 pmLaurie Kendrick:
Hey Driver,
Loved the Keystone Cops reference (for a rollicking, frollicking—GOOD TIME!!!)
Ah, the joys of being middle aged. The things you remember.
Anyway, great post and wanted to further your disgust with mine in terms of doing away with Talk Shows because it’s overtly “conservative” in tone. Liberal talk shows invariably, fail. Why? Well, it’s been this old broadcasting hag/veteran’ contention that Libs would rather argue the point with Conservatives in enemy territory than promote their own agenda in a safe broadcast haven. Hence, my long standing mindset is even more on point—Carville and Clinton turned this once noble party into finger pointers, incredibly wizened in the ways of blame assessment …and whiners, too.
More government, bigger problems.
The thought that Obama could even conceive of doing away or even limiting the number of Conservative based talk shows, makes me think we’re teetering perilously close to falling head first into a country turned Marxist/Leninist regime.
Personally, I’m scared fecal-less.
Best,
19 February 2009, 5:18 pmLK
driver:
Laurie,
19 February 2009, 6:07 pmI agree….it was Carville/Begala turning Ken Starr into a Puritan monster (as Carville said, “This is wawh…this is WAWH!!!) that created the situation we have now. Starr was/is a good person, and deserved a respectful hearing for his hard work, not the brown-shirt treatment he got outside of his house every morning.
Jason:
Not to be picky, but I believe Hamilton wrote Federalist 61. I don’t think that quote is from 61. I may be wrong. Great quote nonetheless.
19 February 2009, 11:12 pmdriver:
Jason,
Historians are supposed to be picky. Thank you for the gentle correction, you are right….the great quote is from Federalist No.62, not 61, and is one of those that is credited to “either” Madison or Hamilton, who were both writing anonymously.
I hate it when I make a mistake, but am about to publish my official correction. Thanks, and I mean that sincerely.
Driver
19 February 2009, 11:57 pmJason:
The quote is Madison, as far as I know. I realized that the number attributed to the quote was off because Hamilton wrote #61. My comment was just about the number and not the writer. Thanks.
20 February 2009, 12:26 amVoluminous Laws « Tea Party 2009:
[...] always, go to our ABOUT section to learn what action you can take. Thanks to AmusedCynic for the inspired [...]
20 February 2009, 12:27 am