The Federalist Papers - Amazon Classics Edition

[Tom S.]

If you have never read the Federalist Papers or if you tried and were less than enamored with the language of the times, I strongly recommend obtaining a copy of Audible's The Federalist Papers - Amazon Classic Edition. As a member of Audible, it cost me one credit (about $15). Extremely well narrated by James Anderson Foster, it brings to life the period of time in our country when our fore fathers considered whether to be a single nation consisting of separate states or individual countries / confederacies of self rule. The verbiage of the time is somewhat mitigated by Foster's excellent narration and shows just how brilliant Hamilton, Madison and Jay were, not only in presenting their beliefs and arguments but in understanding the potential problems of lacking a central government.

While this isn't about pending legislation or court rulings, I feel it is important that citizens understand the minds of those who created our nation. Far too many US citizens, including many who hold political office are ignorant in this regard. If have even the slightest interest in this topic, I highly recommend you obtain a copy and listen. Total time is listed as 20 hours and 45 minutes. One reason why I love audio books is it seems I rarely have time to sit down and read. I can listen to audio books though while driving, working out or working outside. I often listen to them while at the computer as well.

Audible also has the Anti-Federal Papers, penned by Patrick Henry and read by John Clicman but I've yet to listen to it.

 

[GBertolet]

I have the Federalist Papers on DVD, from the Great Courses. From memory, I believe there are around 80 or so of them. Madison, Hamilton, and Jay, were the authors. Gives an explanation, of what the creators of the constitution were intending when they wrote it. Too bad more judges don't read them.

 

[mrcvs]

Isn’t the interpretation of the law supposed to be as the founding fathers created it or to interpret using their principles for matters unable to interpret Constitutionally at that time. Anything postdating the Constitution, like computers, automobiles, etc?

It seems to me that most judges interpret anything these days as to what they want the law to be, e.g., their personal agenda, and not what the Constitutional interpretation of it is.

 

[45Smashemflat]

The Quartet by Joseph Ellis is a great read about that time in our history. I highly recommend it. Ellis uses lots of written correspondence between Washington, Hamilton, Madison, and Jay to lay out a great history leading up to the convention and the eventual Constitution.

 

[johngalt]

George Mason is one of my favorite founding fathers. He had grave concerns about what the Constitution would morph into, turns out he was correct.

 

[steelslaver]

Legislative intent is supposed to be one of the prime principles when interpreting the law..

Just what was their intent when they wrote the law? Things like the Federalist papers, journals, legislative minutes, statements by a bills authors are all supposed to be considered.

Most of the founding fathers were pretty clear and open about their intent. Unfortunately the government, the courts and the people often ignore their hard earned words of wisdom.

Notice there is absolutely no mention of parties in the constitution? Consider this statement by the Honorable George Washington in his Farewell Address. Saturday, September 17, 1796

"However political parties may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

Did we listen? NO!

Was he correct? YES!

Have we learned? NO!

Will we learn? I doubt it.

FACT The lesser of 2 evils is still evil.