Anything But Liberty
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By Hillsdale College July 15, 2013
President Larry Arnn explains the danger of Congress granting itself legal exemptions.
STUDENT: Hello, I’m Naofa, a student at Hillsdale College. Here is Hillsdale President Larry Arnn on Congress granting itself legal exemptions.
DR. ARNN: In 1788, as the Constitution was being debated, James Madison wrote that the chief restraint preventing Congress from passing laws that apply to us, but not to Congress, is quote, “the vigilant and manly spirit which actuates the people of America; a spirit which nourishes freedom. . . . If this spirit shall ever diminish so as to tolerate a law not obligatory on the legislature, . . . the people will be prepared to tolerate anything but liberty.” Today, we Americans live under many laws that do not apply to elected officials and those who work for them. If we hope to preserve liberty, we must re-cultivate the freedom-loving spirit of our fathers.
STUDENT: This Constitution Minute was brought to you by Hillsdale College. Join the national conversation on the Constitution [comment below].
