10 Matching Annotations
  1. Dec 2020
    1. This power, therefore, is neither more nor less than a power to lay and collect taxes, imposts, and excises, at their pleasure;

      He believes that the government just abuses their power at times and just decides what to do with our money as if it is not going to somewhere very much needed. Brutus believes that his money is not going somewhere that will benefit the country as a whole when in reality the government does spend our taxes on highly important resources such as military spending, school spending, and enviornmental spending.

    2. State might be overturned at one stroke, and thereby be deprived of every means of its support.

      Brutus explains that an individual state could potentially lose the support of the federal government if ever gone out of line. A reason behind this was if the state government ever disobeyed or refused to follow the laws at a federal degree.

    3. but the destruction of liberty

      Brutus is under the impression that funding the military through government will take away the rights as citizens and ultimately grow to overrule the people as a whole.

    4. the idea of confederation is totally lost

      Brutus is completely convinced that this is some form of dictatorship and all other political parties will be disregarded as a result of this one sided government.

    5. possess absolute and uncontrollable powers,

      right off the bat, Brutus believes the government is possessing absolute power of its people and is not leaving individual people or states with their own rights or power.

    1. But have they considered whether a better form could have been substituted?

      Madison makes a key point that although some states and people within those states may object to the constitution, this is ultimately the best alternative and will benefit the nation as a whole instead of some aspects of certain states.

    2. "power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution

      This quote is discussing how the states are still capable of making their own laws on whether or not execution should be allowed as a form of punishment for a certain crime committed. We now refer to this act as the death penalty.

    3. No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty on tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace,

      This text highlights the reformed style of military through the power of the states as they are ordered by the government to not engage in any relations or issues to other states or foreign nations as it may result in great conflict all together. Unless this was out of defense, all forces were ordered to stand down.

    4. The latter inconveniency defeats one purpose for which the power was originally submitted to the federal head

      James Madison is opposed to allowing the states to produce their own currency due to this resulting in each state having a different currency. This would ultimately lead to a lack of unity within the country and not benefit the nation's economy as a whole but rather individually through each state.

    5. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation;

      James Madison Orders that individual states do not engage in any relations with others than their own. The reason being for this is to move in the direction of a nationwide government as a whole rather than individual state choices that could associate and damage the United States as a whole.