Most people miss the most significant line in the Declaration of Independence. We tend to focus on the first two paragraphs where Thomas Jefferson laid the philosophical groundwork for political secession. (more…)
Read moreNew Evidence: The Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 Were All About Nullification
Nullification skeptics will often argue that the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 weren’t actually proposing nullification. They base their argument on the fact that John Breckinridge removed specific references to nullification from Jefferson’s draft before he introduced it in the Kentucky House. But evidence from the debates in the House reveals that the resolutions were absolutely..
Read moreHamilton vs. Jefferson on the Constitutionality of a National Bank
The First Bank of the United States was charted for a period of 20 years by Congress on Feb. 25, 1791. Alexander Hamilton championed the bank, but it wasn’t without its detractors. One of the most vocal opponents of the bank was Thomas Jefferson who argued that it was unconstitutional. (more…)
Read moreSucky Strategy Sucks: Thoughts from Maharrey Head 139
"10 Minutes Closer to Freedom" For some libertarian purists, legislation is never good enough. If a bill doesn't do absolutely everything that they want, they call it "watered down" and actively oppose it -- even if it takes a small step forward for liberty. This is a sucky strategy and sucky strategies suck. In this..
Read moreJames Madison’s Christmas Present
Resolutions drafted by James Madison and passed by Virginia on Dec 21. and 24, 1798, answer a timeless question: What do we do when the federal government oversteps its constitutional bounds? (more…)
Read moreThe Degeneracy of War: Thoughts from Maharrey Head #112
"10 Minutes Closer to Freedom" James Madison warned that a country could not preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare. The U.S. has been embroiled in war for decades. If you care about limited government and freedom, this should concern you deeply. In this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I talk about..
Read moreYou Don’t Really Want to Limit Government Power, Do You?
We often hear people on both sides of the political aisle complaining about the expansion of federal power. And yet, federal power constantly expands. Why? If everybody is worried about federal encroachment and overreach, why doesn’t anybody do anything to stop it? Why don’t more people insist on strict adherence to constitutional limits on federal..
Read moreYes. Non-Citizens Have Rights
Over the last week, I've heard several people say things like, "Non-citizens don't have any rights in America." Or a variation on the theme "Illegals don't have rights in this country." I find this mentality troubling on two levels. In the first place, it implies government gives people their rights. You only get 'em if..
Read moreThe Evolution of Sovereignty in American Political Thought: States’ Rights
This is part 2 of a 2-part series examining the evolution of American political thought as it relates to sovereignty in the political system. You can read part 1 HERE. In the years leading up to the Revolutionary War, and continuing through the post-war era, Americans conceived and developed a revolutionary political idea. They came..
Read moreThoughts from Maharrey Head #54: What Is Necessary and Proper?
"10 Minutes Closer to Freedom" I this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I talk about the Constitution's necessary and proper clause. Hint: it doesn't mean anything and everything. Politicians and legal academics often call the necessary and proper clause the "elastic clause" because it supposedly expands the powers of the federal government. In fact,..
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