LIMITED GOVERNMENT
James Madison, the father of the Constitution, once said "Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government." James Madison felt strongly about keeping a limited government where the people have a say in decisions and the government is not above the law. He wanted to make sure that
the government he was to live in, didn't end up like other countries, where the citizen’s rights were not protected. The reason why America hasn't ended up like those countries is because it has a constitution that everyone is to
follow.
Although the main focus of the Constitution is limited government, there are 5 other principles outlined in
the constitution. There is popular sovereignty, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and judicial review. All of these principles work together to make sure that the rights of the people are protected. Popular
sovereignty is the rule by the people; this makes sure that the people can participate in government decisions. Federalism is the system where the power is divided between the state and federal governments. Separation of powers and checks and balances work together to limit the power of the national government; there are three branches of government that are each assigned their own duties. The system of checks and balances limits and balances the power of each branch. A form of checks and balances would be judicial review, which is the power of
the judicial branch to declare laws made by Congress and presidential acts unconstitutional.
The Founding Fathers wanted to get three main ideals about the Constitution across to the people. They wanted to tell the people how they are bounded by the ideals that are listed in the Constitution, how the constitution set up the government’s basic structure, and how the government’s duties are separated. The final thing that the Founders wanted the people to grasp was that the constitution provided the supreme law of the land for the country to follow. The Framers of the Constitution worked hard all of their lives to provide the people of America with safety and protection. All of their work paid off because from them, the constitution was made.
There are seven articles listed in the constitution, and they all set forth the plan of government. The first three articles spell out the branches in the national government. The fourth article of the Constitution explains the relationship between the states and the national government, which basically means that every citizen has the
same rights, no matter where they are in the country. Article five lists the ways that the constitution can be amended. “The Constitution, laws passed by congress, and treaties of the U.S shall be the supreme law of the land”.
Finally, the seventh article states that the constitution can be approved when nine out of the thirteen states have ratified it. The Constitution was written mainly by federalists, which means that they were focused on a strong central government. Many people feared that the Constitution gave too much power to the national government, and they didn't want their new country to end up like Great Britain. In return for ratification, the Founders added a Bill of Rights into the Constitution. All together; the bill of rights and the articles, formed a government that protected the people and limited government power.
Rule of law is the rule according to the law that is established in a government document or constitution. Under this principle, no citizen must suffer from unjust punishment, except according to law. Unless bills meet the criteria set forth in the constitution, rule of law states that they cannot be made into laws.
In the United States of America, the principle of rule of law must be followed by all citizens. Without
anyone obeying the Constitution, America might end up with an over powering, communistic type of government. In Cuba, the government controls everything; such as who can leave the country, what people are allowed to say, and even what people are allowed to think. Rule of law is not followed in Cuba, because of that people are not free and their rights are definitely not protected. Rule of law states that if a citizen of the U.S were to violate another person’s rights, then that person must be punished. The punishment must fit the crime because if it didn't, the principle that America holds high above their heads would be come crashing down. It is so important that rule of law is upheld so that all people are treated equally.
James Madison would be proud to look upon present day America to see that his life’s work made a difference. The Framers tried their best to create and revise the Constitution so that the people would accept it. They clearly spelled out the new plan of government to the people and they made sure that none of the plan violated the citizen’s rights. Rule of law is always upheld in America, and if someone violates another person’s rights, then they will be punished according to the law. Without limited government, America wouldn’t be the great country that it is today. The people are free to develop as many talents and opportunities as they wish. The organized plan of government that the Founding Fathers created all those years ago is still being followed today is a reason to celebrate the freedom that everyone is guaranteed.