George Washington: People who govern should consider future generations in decisions

It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.

George Washington, letter to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, September 5, 1789

Forget global warming - it's Cycle 25 we need to worry about (and if NASA scientists are right the Thames will be freezing over again) | Mail Online

Forget global warming - it's Cycle 25 we need to worry about (and if NASA scientists are right the Thames will be freezing over again) | Mail Online

George Washington must have known a few Democrats

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796

George Washington: Men allowed to pursue profit, can achieve anything

A people... who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything.

George Washington, letter to Benjamin Harrison, October 10, 1784

Thomas Paine: Every generation needs to take care of its own problems

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.

Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776

Thomas Paine: Guard Liberty for all

He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.

Thomas Paine, Dissertation on First Principles of Government, December 23, 1791

James Madison: Charity has no place in Government: States power more broad than Federal

[T]he government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.

James Madison, speech in the House of Representatives, January 10, 1794

James Madison: Too much Government power, makes people into slaves

Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions.

James Madison, essay in the National Gazette, March 27, 1792

James Madison: Congress shouldnt appropriate money for worthless reasons

There is not a more important and fundamental principle in legislation, than that the ways and means ought always to face the public engagements; that our appropriations should ever go hand in hand with our promises. To say that the United States should be answerable for twenty-five millions of dollars without knowing whether the ways and means can be provided, and without knowing whether those who are to succeed us will think with us on the subject, would be rash and unjustifiable. Sir, in my opinion, it would be hazarding the public faith in a manner contrary to every idea of prudence.

James Madison, Speech in Congress, April 22, 1790

James Madison: People must be vigilant about choosing politicians

Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks-no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea, if there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them.

James Madison, speech at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 20, 1788

James Madison: Free Commerce is better without Government interference

I own myself the friend to a very free system of commerce, and hold it as a truth, that commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive and impolitic — it is also a truth, that if industry and labour are left to take their own course, they will generally be directed to those objects which are the most productive, and this in a more certain and direct manner than the wisdom of the most enlightened legislature could point out.

James Madison, speech to the Congress, April 9, 1789

James Madison: Individual Private Property Rights

Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as well that which lies in the various rights of individuals, as that which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government which impartially secures to every man whatever is his own.

James Madison, Essay on Property, March 29, 1792

James Madison: Federal Government encroachment on State Government authority

But ambitious encroachments of the federal government, on the authority of the State governments, would not excite the opposition of a single State, or of a few States only. They would be signals of general alarm... But what degree of madness could ever drive the federal government to such an extremity.

James Madison, Federalist No. 46, January 29, 1788