In The Founder's Key, Dr. Arnn
discusses the interrelatedness of the Declaration of Independence and
the Constitution. A great many people know the first words of the
Declaration, but fail to read the middle paragraphs. This is where
Jefferson and the other formulators of the Declaration set forth the
reasons for the break with Great Britain. In these paragraphs they
set out the concepts of separation of powers, representation and the
limited scope of government that formed the basis of the
Constitution. The men who authored the Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution were under no illusions that men are not angels.
Men have passions and desires that keep them from always espousing
the noblest course. Therefore, the government to be fair to everyone
must have a set of restraints that keep the branches of government:
executive, legislative and judicial from individually usurping the
power that is allocated to all three.
This is a very readable book, one that
everyone interested in the issues of government should read. Dr. Arnn
does an excellent job of presenting material from source documents:
the Declaration, Constitution, and Federalist Papers. He also
includes these source documents in the book. You don't have to take
his word for what is being said. You can read it for yourself.
He makes a particularly good case for
the problems with the encroaching bureaucracy we find ourselves
enmeshed in today. The bureaucracy has no system of checks and
balances. They make the rules, administer them and judge them. This
is a prescription for abuse of power, particularly since the people
who work in the bureaucracy are not angels. They are people with
their own set of premises and desires that have not received the
consent of governed.
I highly recommend this book. Whether
you agree with his premises or not, you will at least have an
understanding of what they source documents say and not be led astray
by spurious reasoning. Knowing what is contained in the material will
set you free to form your own opinions.
I reviewed this book as part of the
Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.
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