Careful Quote by James Madison

In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt

I consider it…as subverting the fundamental and characteristic principle of the Government…and as bidding defiance to the sense in which the Constitution is known…

— James Madison

If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer…

— James Madison

It would reduce the whole instrument to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the…

— Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson explained, Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated. .. If Congress can determine…

— Bill Drayton

To hold that Congress has general police power would be to hold that it may accomplish objects not intrusted to the general government, and…

— Melville Fuller

“Because the common law was not simply the creature of political power-holders, it became another of the forces for separation of powers and of…

— Thomas Sowell

[The necessary and proper clause] neither enlarges any power specifically granted; nor is it a grant of any new power to Congress; But it…

— Joseph Story

The idea of restraining the legislative authority, in the means of providing for the national defense, is one of those refinements which owe their…

— Alexander Hamilton

Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.

— Thomas Jefferson

THE Constitution proposed by the convention may be considered under two general points of view. The FIRST relates to the sum or quantity of…

— James Madison

The powers contained in a constitution...ought to be construed liberally in advancement of the public good.

— Alexander Hamilton