[snarkpup]

The Federalist Papers. This explains why our form of government was chosen over other types in common use, why the Constitution was worded the way it was, why they put in every check and balance they could think of, and the tradeoffs that were considered in designing a federal government strong enough to provide for the common defense but not strong enough to wage war on the people. For most people nowadays, this will be earth-shattering reading.

[Wonder Warthog]

"The Federalist Papers. This explains why our form of government was chosen over other types in common use, why the Constitution was worded the way it was, why they put in every check and balance they could think of, and the tradeoffs that were considered in designing a federal government strong enough to provide for the common defense but not strong enough to wage war on the people. For most people nowadays, this will be earth-shattering reading."

NEVER recommend the Federalist Papers without also recommending the Anti-Federalist Papers. The Federalist Papers by themselves only present the "positive" side of strong central government. The Anti-Federalist Papers point out the potential areas for abuse. Unfortunately, time has proven the Anti-Federalist authors to have been more nearly correct than the Federalist authors about the resulting abuses of governmental power. In fact, the predictions of the Anti-Federalists are FRIGHTENINGLY prescient in light of the direction the FedGov has taken since the 1960's.