Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Thomas Jefferson on Judges

"To consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions [is] a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges are as honest as other men and not more so. They have with others the same passions for party, for power, and the privilege of their corps. Their maxim is boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem [good justice is broad jurisdiction], and their power the more dangerous as they are in office for life and not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots. It has more wisely made all the departments co-equal and co-sovereign within themselves.”

—Thomas Jefferson to William C. Jarvis, 1820. ME 15:277

Note: You can also click on the title to see the original post by Michael Boldin.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

The Constitution and Freedom

Judge Andrew Napolitano, the youngest life-tenured Superior Court Judge in the history of the State of New Jersey, discusses the basics of our founding fathers and the constitution.

This is really great work, and it must be taught in all schools in the United States. We must take America back!