I am familiar with the AF Papers; I must say that although they have their points, I disagree with their total argument. I find the FP’s more convincing.
Remember, the government of today is not the one designed by our founders. The forces of populism have overtaken the ethics that should serve as our guide. People are now voting themselves riches out of the treasury. That was not in the FP’s, nor in the Constitution.
You can say that again! The mercantile republic that is the current, rapidly failing, United States is NOT AT ALL akin to the South Atlantic republicanism laid out by the founders.
A fool's bet if there ever was won. It's like Madison's arguments against a bill of rights. The people would never misconstrue the extent of federal power! They would never use "general welfare", "necessary and proper", or "supreme law of the land" in ways beyond what they intended! Who would do such a thing. That was Madison's argument. And much as I love and admire the man, I have to say it's amazing that someone so brilliant could be so naiive.