[Natural Law]

Thomas Jefferson on the Judges:

"To consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions [is] a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges are as honest as other men and not more so. They have with others the same passions for party, for power, and the privilege of their corps. Their maxim is boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem [good justice is broad jurisdiction], and their power the more dangerous as they are in office for life and not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots. It has more wisely made all the departments co-equal and co-sovereign within themselves."

—Thomas Jefferson to William C. Jarvis, 1820. ME 15:277

[Iam1ru1-2]

"It has more wisely made all the departments co-equal and co-sovereign within themselves."

Until this century!

[Mark in the Old South]

Doesn't fit on a bumper sticker like "separation of Church and State."

Pity, it is a good quote. They only care about Jefferson when it suits them.

[bust]

That says it all. Thanks for that post.

[freecopper01]

save to print.