Bob Dole: “in federalist No. 57, James Madison made the following observation. He said: [The House of Representatives is]…”

“in federalist No. 57, James Madison made the following observation. He said: [The House of Representatives is] restrain[ed] from oppressive measures [because] they can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass of the society. This has always been deemed one of the strongest bonds by which human policy can connect the rulers and the people together. It creates between them that communion of interests and sympathy of sentiments of which few Governments have furnished examples * * * if this spirit shall ever be so far debased as to tolerate a law not obligatory on the legislature as well as on the people, the people will be prepared to tolerate anything but liberty. Unfortunately, Mr. President, the Congress has not always adhered to James Madison's timeless vision of representative Government. For far too long, Congress has severed its connection with the people, imposing new rules and regulations on the private sector, while seeking to exempt itself from those same rules. Not surprisingly, many of our citizens have begun to view the Senate and the House of Representatives as the Imperial Congress, as an institution that considers itself above the law and without accountability. This past election day, the American people finally decided it was time to shake up the Washington status quo.…”