[Bigun]

I have now listened to both parts of the lecture series you posted and it has certainly been worthwhile. I find myself in agreement with Newt on all points except his seeming agreement with Lincoln in asserting that the Declaration of Independence is law in the U.S. With that I fervently disagree.

[Huck]

I find myself in agreement with Newt on all points except his seeming agreement with Lincoln in asserting that the Declaration of Independence is law in the U.S. With that I fervently disagree.

I may have to watch it. I'm curious. I think big government constitutionalists ("federalists", and later lincoln, webster, now most conservatives are at best "federalists") need to give the declaration force of law. They need to BIND everyone together as one nation, by hook or by crook.

[Billthedrill]

There is a rather interesting school of legal thought named Declarationism, whose proponents favor incorporating the Declaration of Independence into formal American jurisprudence, largely around principles of natural law that informed the Declaration. That opens up a rather sweeping critique of case law as it is currently implemented in the United States.

Clearly these principles were in the minds both of the Federalists and the anti-Federalists as well, and will develop as we continue our study of the Federalist Papers. Fascinating stuff.