BLOCKING BAD LAWS

  Most citizens don't have the time to read every proposed law.  And the Founding Fathers did not expect that citizens would read every proposed law.  That is why we have a representative government instead of a democracy. 

   To block the passage of bad laws, Representatives and Senators--all members of the government--must live under the laws that they pass.  Without this safeguard,  every government degenerates into tyranny.* 

 

 

The Federalist Papers, Number 57 [paragraphs 12-13] 

Federalist Papers: Modern English Edition Two (2008):

Must Live Under Laws They Pass

12      Fifth.  Every law the House of Representatives passes will operate on the Representatives and their friends, as well as the society.  This is another restraint on the power. 

        This creates a strong bond and common interests between rulers and the people.  Few governments have this feature.  And without it, *every government degenerates into tyranny.

        What stops the House of Representatives from making laws that favor themselves and a specific class of society?  The whole system.  The nature of just and constitutional laws.  And, above all, the vigilant spirit of the people of America--a spirit which nourishes freedom and, in return, is nourished by it.

Laws that Presage Tyranny

13          If the people of America ever tolerate a law that does not apply to legislators, as well as on the people, the people will be prepared to tolerate anything but liberty.

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The Federalist Papers, Number 57 [paragraphs 12-13]  original text:

[12]     I will add, as a fifth circumstance in the situation of the House of Representatives, restraining them from oppressive measures, that they can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass of the society. This has always been deemed one of the strongest bonds by which human policy can connect the rulers and the people together. It creates between them that communion of interests and sympathy of sentiments, of which few governments have furnished examples; but without which *every government degenerates into tyranny. If it be asked, what is to restrain the House of Representatives from making legal discriminations in favor of themselves and a particular class of the society? I answer: the genius of the whole system; the nature of just and constitutional laws; and above all, the vigilant and manly spirit which actuates the people of America, a spirit which nourishes freedom, and in return is nourished by it.

[13]     If this spirit shall ever be so far debased as to tolerate a law not obligatory on the legislature, as well as on the people, the people will be prepared to tolerate any thing but liberty. ****************************************************