Pro-Constitution Federalists such as James Madison argued that a bill of rights was unnecessary because the national government created by the Constitution was one of limited powers.
Thank you Tara. Madison certainly was wrong in the first position, in my opinion. He believed that the Federal Government had and would use, only those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution. He was correct in finally becoming a proponent of a bill of rights as he saw the government in action. However, again in my opinion, he was also incorrect in believing that the bill of rights would forever grant specific powers and rights to the citizens. We have seen severe limitations placed upon those rights, particularly during the past few decades, as the Judicial branch has become increasingly political.
Thank you Tara. Madison certainly was wrong in the first position, in my opinion. He believed that the Federal Government had and would use, only those powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution. He was correct in finally becoming a proponent of a bill of rights as he saw the government in action. However, again in my opinion, he was also incorrect in believing that the bill of rights would forever grant specific powers and rights to the citizens. We have seen severe limitations placed upon those rights, particularly during the past few decades, as the Judicial branch has become increasingly political.