21st Century: Query 146 (James Madison)
“Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power.” ~ James Madison , 4th President of the United States. Madison was an American statesman, lawyer, diplomat, philosopher and Founding Father who served as president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the United States Bill of Rights . He co-wrote The Federalist Papers , co-founded the Democratic-Republican Party , and served as the fifth United States secretary of State from 1801 to 1809. If our leaders routinely abuse their power, why or why not should ordinary citizens abuse their liberty?