With Stevens’ retirement, the court will be rid of a man whose utter indifference to the Constitution was evident in virtually all his opinions. While this is a good thing, I fear his indifference will be replaced with outright hostility, assuming that BHO selects another individual that reflects his own attitude toward the Constitution.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. James Madison.

One of the arguments against Obamacare goes like this: “The whole thing is unconstitutional since Congress has no authority to compel individuals to purchase health care insurance.”

While this point of view may be intellectually interesting, it is one that I fear more than most.

If duties are too high, they lessen the consumption; the collection is eluded; and the product to the treasury is not so great as when they are confined within proper and moderate bounds. This forms a complete barrier against any material oppression of the citizens by taxes of this class, and is itself a natural limitation of the power of imposing them. Alexander Hamilton.

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. Federalist 62

The rights of neutrality will only be respected, when they are defended by an adequate power. A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral. Federalist 11.