No sooner had the Constitution gone into operation than a bitter argument arose between those who favored a strong central government and those who favored a central government of limited powers with strong governments in the states. The first group is known as Federalists and the second as Anti-Federalists. The Anti-Federalists, led by Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, and Patrick Henry, would have had the Constitution construed strictly, according to the letter. The Federalists, led by Hamilton, and John Adams, favored a broad interpretation which would render the Constitution adequate to the expanding needs of the country. The issue of whether or not Congress was to enjoy implied and expanded powers, became an important major issue...

I have no fight in California politics, but I was excited to hear that Dr. John C. Eastman (R) announced he is running for Attorney General of Cal.. I got excited for California. Dr. Eastman is not known in the political realm, but is known as one of the Country's brightest Constitutional minds. His is currently battling a case in the Supreme Court; Raisch v. Sisney, that pertains to principles to the spending power of Congress. He seems to be a modern day-Jefferson type and staunch State's rights defender. I'm sure there's a good reason he picked the AG spot to make entrance into politics. Get him in there.

Alpha, You don't need the Federalist papers to understand the two levels of Congress-it's clearly written in the Constitution. And I agree with you that the Founders did not trust a direct democracy (majority rules), rather a federalist democracy. At the same time, the Founders tried to limit the federal governments authority by respecting state sovereignty and individual's rights - they clearly were weary of governments.

Johnm H, Well put. I like the way you think.... Stick to the principles of the Constitution is the key- our founders were brilliant people, weren't they?

It is a certain type of trust that must exist amongst the people and spill over to our politicians. This trust reminds me of a two-way highway, where drivers are traveling at high speeds towards each other; each driver relies on the others will to live, in order to prevent them from crossing the line and colliding. This trust (Natural Laws of Man) must be giving to the people, in order to keep us free. Our Founders trusted the people and Divine Providence; they formed the Constitution, because they did not trust the men in governments and other positions of power.

Thank you for your blog, even though it's been awhile since you posted it. We are debating the Constitution and what can be done. Bill Ellis mentioned your name and linked this. I need chew on it. Your welcome to join or listen. http://www.dakotavoice.com/2010/03/states-rights-can-live- again/

Gotta go to work, have a nice day, everyone.

Walker, if you're still there? I found this in a book about bureaucrats:

"In France and Germany, which have experienced frequent and violent changes in constitutional authority and drastic shifts in policy, leadership, bureaucrats have acquired higher status. In Germany, for example, the bureaucrats managed, by following their institutionalized routine, to carry on the day-to-day activities of the government despite the revolutionary changeover from Imperial Germany to the Wiemar Republic, the transformation of the Wiemar Republic into the Third Reich, the upheaval of World War II, and the establishment of the Federal Republic. Between 1919 and 1954, thousands of German bureaucrats were responsible for maintaining...

Ah ha, A governor can never become a dictator because of the Bill of Rights prevents it. That's win the federal government can step in. But if the federal Government powers are obsolete, than the states CAN turn into dictatorship or authoritarian rule.

Oops,sorry about that.