Rob Bishop: “Two hundred years ago, James Madison, on the House floor, gave the following speech, and he said: ``If Congress can…”

“Two hundred years ago, James Madison, on the House floor, gave the following speech, and he said: ``If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare and are the soul and supreme judges of the general welfare, they may appoint teachers in every State, county and parish, they may take into their own hands the education of children, establishing in like manner schools throughout the Nation.'' What Madison said sarcastically 200 years ago is actually before us in bill form today. Madison concluded by saying: ``Were the power of Congress to be established in the latitude contended for, it would subvert the foundations and transmute the very nature of limited government established by the people of America.'' Now, are the sponsors of this bill sincere? Yes. Are the goals of this program good? Yes. Would this program be beneficial for kids? Yes. Should the Federal Government take the initiative to introduce it? No. If we view the different responsibility levels of government, someone has to stand up and say, stop, we are not a school board.”