The fact therefore must be that the individuals themselves, each in his own personal and sovereign right, entered into a compact with each other to produce a government: and this is the only mode in which governments have a right to arise, and the only principle on which they have a right to exist. This quote should be emblazoned on the cover of every American History/Civics textbook in this country.
It is appalling how few people understand that the founding documents delineate the limitations of the government over the people, not the other way around.