A Discussion Comparing and Contrasting Cato 5 and Federalist 67

[Will_MacKay]

The power of the office of the President has been debated since the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The Federalists and Anti-Federalists were divided in their published writings on the subject. To facilitate our discussion on Executive Power please take some time to read the papers Cato #5 and Federalist #67 and Article 2 of the US Constitution. (These are all available online)

[Will_MacKay]

Federalist #67 is a response to the concerns about executive power raised by the Anti-Federalists in Cato V. I find myself more moved by the arguments put forth by the Anti-Federalist. Although the Articles of Confederation were weak when it came to a national government I like some of the principles put forth by this author in particular.

I think the fears of the Anti-Federalists are unfortunately well founded in this matter and have come true in modern American government. Cato warns that the president will appoint political friends and admirers to positions of council. This has happened in all the presidential offices in my lifetime.

I actually laughed out loud when I read that the professional advisors to the president would be “the Asylum of the base” I think this is the first recorded attack on the yet to exist “beltway mentality.”

I however did not agree with Cato’s desire to have yearly elections, there is already an awful amount of campaigning and I think this would lead to a terrible system of inefficiency.

I appreciated the detail that was outlined in Federalist #67; unfortunately some of the crafted structure was diminished by the passage of the 17th Amendment.

[Rob Withers]

Will,

I am way behind on this. I just saw it. I'll have to do my reading and come back to you. It probably won't be before this weekend as I am a bit busy, what with World Cup, work, interviews, etc.

[Will_MacKay]

You are in the World Cup?? Good luck hope you play better goal than England!

[Rob Withers]

You are in the World Cup?? Good luck hope you play better goal than England!

That's right, I'm the 12th man! Big game tomorrow against Slovenia. Fingers crossed.

Check out my new website: http://noharmmeansnofoul.org

[serjykalstryke]

Federalist #67 is a response to the concerns about executive power raised by the Anti-Federalists in Cato V. I find myself more moved by the arguments put forth by the Anti-Federalist. Although the Articles of Confederation were weak when it came to a national government I like some of the principles put forth by this author in particular.

I think the fears of the Anti-Federalists are unfortunately well founded in this matter and have come true in modern American government. Cato warns that the president will appoint political friends and admirers to positions of council. This has happened in all the presidential offices in my lifetime.

I actually laughed out loud when I read that the professional advisors to the president would be “the Asylum of the base” I think this is the first recorded attack on the yet to exist “beltway mentality.”

I however did not agree with Cato’s desire to have yearly elections, there is already an awful amount of campaigning and I think this would lead to a terrible system of inefficiency.

I appreciated the detail that was outlined in Federalist #67; unfortunately some of the crafted structure was diminished by the passage of the 17th Amendment.

I am more moved by the fact that we had this partisan debate at our countries founding. I see the points of both sides though, i think that if we got back to our original constitution and cut out all the progressive crap, and left all other things that aren't specifically in the constitution to the states, then we would have a fair compromise between what the federalist's wanted and what the anti-federalists wanted. that's how the document was designed

[Will_MacKay]

Thanks for responding!! When you say you were moved by the partisan debate, which part? (Just interested)

[serjykalstryke]

the arguments going on then were the same that we have now, big vs small government, i find it amazing how little has changed.