HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The Founding Fathers had a keen insight into the motivations of human behavior.  "The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."  This applies to people, collectively, as well as individuals.  That's why the Founders extensive study of history led to so many important features in the United States Constitution that block the worst traits of humanity.

 

They had optimism, too.  They had just defeated the most powerful nation in the world and so many citizens had suffered greatly to make a better place for their families and, most of all, for future generations, that the Founders believed there was an "American spirit," a desire for freedom and liberty that would continue down through the generations.

 

This summer, many people are unhappy about legislation that has been passed by Congress.  Many Americans have never heard of the Federalist Papers, but they intuitively understand and live the American spirit.  I translated the Federalist Papers into easier-to-read English specifically for those people.  I was one of them.  Some actions by the federal government just didn't "feel" right to me, but I wasn't able to fully articulate why specific actions were not good for the country.  When I started reading the Federalist Papers I was amazed by the gold mine of explanations they contain.

 

This year, understanding the constitution of the House of Representatives is vitally important.  And it is beautifully summarized in Federalist Paper # 57.

 

Several things assure us that the Representatives will be faithful to their constituents.

 

First.  Their fellow citizen will choose them.  They will have some good qualities, including an understanding of their obligations as an elected official.

 

Second.  When they begin to serve, they will have at least a temporary affection for their constituents.  When citizens honor a person, he responds positively.  This guarantees some grateful and benevolent returns.

 

People often discuss ingratitude.  And it does happen too frequently, both in public and private life.  But the extreme anger the discussion of ingratitude inspires proves that most people feel grateful.

 

Third, the representative is also tied to his constituents for selfish reasons.  Being an elected official flatters his pride and vanity.  A large number of men advance politically because of their influence with the people.  And they have more to gain from preserving the voters' favor, than from working to change the government in a way that subverts the people's authority.      

 

Fourth.  These securities would not be enough without the restraint of frequent elections.  The bi-annual elections to the House of Representatives will remind members of their dependence on the people.

 

Before they have time to forget how they got the power of their high office, they will be forced to think about the next election, when their actions will be reviewed.  They will be reminded that they will become a common citizen if they haven't faithfully discharged their trust and truly deserve to be reelected.

 

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.

 

 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.  Federalist Paper # 57 [paragraphs 7-13]*

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* All Federalist Paper quotes are from The Federalist Papers: Modern English Edition Two, available on my website and Amazon.com for $24.95 http://Mary.Webster.org
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We Will Never Forget,  12/8/1941,  9/12/2001

 

Mary E Webster

http://Mary.Webster.org

 

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