James Madison Archives - Granite Grok

BOLDIN: Government Welfare Makes Things Worse

September 12, 2026 Michael Boldin

Benjamin Franklin’s Forgotten Warning “Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” That was James Madison, explaining that the modern federal welfare state is not authorized by the Constitution. Despite that, politicians today still insist that these programs aren’t just authorized; they’re also absolutely necessary to help people. But they ignore the … Read more

Ovid statue - original image by Adriana Airinei on UNsplash

BOLDIN: Resist Beginnings – The Ancient Roman Maxim Behind the American Revolution

June 24, 2026 Michael Boldin

“Like a cancer” America was built on a foundation that constitutional violations are a deadly disease. Give government an inch – and they’ll take a few thousand miles, and never stop. And before too long, it’ll get to a place where it’s no longer a Republic, but a long, slow coup. Or, as the Declaration … Read more

President Madison’s Final Act to Defend the Constitution

January 5, 2025 Michael Boldin

On his last day in office, James Madison delivered what might be history’s most significant – and overlooked – presidential veto. This was in response to the Bonus Bill in 1817 – an infrastructure bill, what they referred to as “internal improvements.” In a rare example of both integrity and adherence to the Oath of … Read more

James Madison’s Six Principles to Stop Federal Tyranny

December 27, 2024December 27, 2024 Michael Boldin

The states are “duty bound to interpose.” That’s how James Madison put it in his Virginia Resolutions, passed on Dec 21 and 24, 1798, in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts. His resolutions answer a timeless question: What should be done when the federal government oversteps its constitutional bounds? Today, that’s 24/7/365 – so it … Read more

James Madison: Four Steps to Stop Federal Programs

October 15, 2023 Op-Ed

Writing in Federalist #46, James Madison provided a 4-step strategy to bring down federal programs without waiting for the federal government to limit its own power.

Six Must Read Sources from Thomas Jefferson and James Madison

July 29, 2023July 28, 2023 Op-Ed

Most people today have little to no familiarity with any of the principles that influenced the founders. Below, you’ll find six important resources hand-picked by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. You can also find links to each in this podcast episode – “The Founders’ Education.”

The Destructive Legacy of the Federal Taxing Power

October 6, 2022 Op-Ed

How many people stop to consider if there are any restrictions on what or how the federal government can tax? Does the Constitution for the United States allow the federal government to tax anything it wants, whenever it wants, and in any way that it wants?

Did the Constitution Fail the People? Or Did the People Fail the Constitution?

August 4, 2022 Op-Ed

Did the Constitution fail?

A lot of people think it did. This popular quote by Lysander Spooner sums up the thoughts of many.

Why Read The Federalist Papers?

March 25, 2019

Description: Everybody in America should exercise their duty of citizenship. One of the best ways to do so is to read The Federalist Papers. If you take the time to do so you will benefit from it. You will come away with a different perspective of our constitution. In turn, that new understanding will benefit … Read more