Mormons in the Public Eye

I was just reading this article and thought it was interesting.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/135758

Mormons are definitely popping up on the radar more and more. I think for the most part this is good exposure for the Mormon church (more accurately, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). I hope they represent the rest of us in this church well, and I think for the most part they are.

Founding Father's Quotes on Size of Government

Here are some quotes I like from the founding fathers. I've always believed we should limit the size of the federal government. One of the FF's main intents with this government was to limit it's power and influence. They wanted to keep the power of government in the hands of the people, as much as possible. It seems to me too many people (especially politicians) have lost sight of this.


Regarding local self-government:

Quote:

The way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many, distributing to every one exactly the fuctions he is competent to perform best. Let the national government be entrusted with the defense of the nation, and its foreign and federal relations; the State governments with the civil rights, laws, police and administration of what concerns the State generally; the counties with the local concerns of the counties, and each ward [township] direct the interests within itself. It is by dividing and subdividing these republics, from the great national one down through all its subordinations, until it ends in the administration of every man's farm by himself; by placing under every one what his own eye may superintend, that all will be done for the best. What has destroyed liberty and the rights of man in every government which has ever existed under the sun? The generalizing and concentrating all cares and powers into one body, no matter whether of the autocrates of Russia or France, or of the aristocrats of a Venetian senate. (Thomas Jefferson, Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Berghergh, Writings of Thomas Jefferson)

Power between local and federal government:

Quote:

The powers delegated by the proposed Consitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former [federal powers] will be excercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce...The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement and prosperity of the State. (James Madison, Federalist Papers)

Federal Government Size:

Quote:

The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the states are independent as to everything within themselves, and united as to everything respecting foreign nations. Let the general government be reduced to ferign concerns only, and let our affairs be disentangled from those of all other nations, except as to commerce, which the merchants will manage the better, the more they are left free to manage for themselves, and our general government may be reduced to a very simple organization, and a very inexpensive one; a few plan duties to be performed by a few servants. (Thomas Jefferson, Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Bergh)

One more from John Fiske, then off to build my climbing wall.

Quote:

If the day should ever arrive (whgich God fobird!) when the people of the different parts of our country shall allow the local affairs to be administered by prefects sendt from Washington, and when the self government of the states shall have been so far lost as t hat of the departments of France, or eve so closely limited as that of the counties of England-on that day the political career of the American people will have been robbed of its most interesting and valuable features, and the usefulness of this nation will be lametably impaired. (John Fiske, The Criticial Period of American History)