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Centinel’s complaints

There is no bill of rights limiting what the federal government can do to the people -- When the people transfer their authority to the government they hand          over all powers BUT those that they specifically note that they are             retaining – liberty of the press is especially important

The constitution should best exemplify the lessons of the past

History produces the options that we have for government

            Liberty is too fine a thing to trust to experiments

      For instance – separation of powers assumes that humanity is wise enough to balance three branches of government – that is has never been done before shows it cannot be done -- if you create a complicated government there will not be accountability

      The only real check on too much governmental power is a people who are civically virtuous who operate within a simple legislative body

New federal government would have power to tax and maintain a standing army – next stop despotism –

Federal courts would rapidly supercede the authority of state courts

This is too large a country to rule democratically – the best government is government that is responsive to local concerns and knowledgeable to local conditions

Misc gripes

                  House ruled by elites

                  Senate is undemocratic

                  “advice and consent” means president has to follow Senate

                  Congress could eliminate the election of Congress by superceding local legislatures – Could expand terms to lifetimes

                  Congress can call forth a militia as a tool of despotism

Anti-federalists (model of the constitution)

            The constitution should best exemplify the lessons of the past

            The constitution should create a state grounded in a perfect past (a                     golden age)   

                        History produces the options that we have for government

                        Liberty is too fine a thing to trust to experiments

Anti-federalists (the constitution and the individual)

            The sovereignty of the people is transferred into the government when it                        is created and there it resides until we see a Lockean-style                         revolution

            The constitution gives the government form

            The constitution provides the rules for the government

            To interpret the document you must look at the rules that the constitution                 contains

Anti-federalists (good government and good citizens)

            The government should be simple and rely upon representatives that are                  imbued with civic virtue

            A simple government is knowable and is easily made accountable

            A confederacy is best where power is retained by smaller state                         governments that are more accountable and homogenous

            A good citizen is virtuous and that is needed for self government

            Wealth and poverty should be moderated to create a stabilizing middle                        class -- believe in the redistribution of property

            Government should be stable and static

Anti federalists (energy in government)

            Energy in government can be oppressive so it must be limited by rules

Anti federalists (on bill of rights)

            When the people transfer their authority to the government they hand                    over all powers BUT those that they specifically note that they are                  retaining

            The people can be fooled into sacrificing their liberty, they will come back                to their senses but by that point it will be too late

            Popular will is not always reliable on constitutional-level questions                   (though usually fine at the statutory level)