Editor:
While Mr. May is correct is his assertion that most of the Federalist Papers, all written by either Madison, Hamilton or Jay were in support of a strong central government as introduced by Hamilton and Madison at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, he neglects to inform readers that the nationalist form of government proposed by Madison and Hamilton (Virginia Plan) was overwhelmingly rejected by the other delegates in favor of a representative republic.
Referencing the Second Amendment, Mr. May only presents his obviously slanted viewpoint. He states the Second Amendment is a "collective" as opposed to an "individual" right. He conveniently leaves out any facts contrary to his biased views. He quotes Justice Antonin Scalia to support his views, but then neglects to mention Scalia wrote in DC v. Heller, "The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home." He also leaves out this from Madison in Federalist 46: "Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." (at 243-44)
Also not mentioned by May is the most feared entity as expressed by the majority of our founders: a "standing army." The following quote is most illustrative of the fears of our founders and their reason for a militia. "What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty.... Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins." Elbridge Gerry
Mr. May states we do not need a militia because we have a standing army; the exact opposite view and the greatest fear of our founders. He also fails to understand that the Bill of Rights amended the Articles he quotes to support his views. That is why they are called "amendments."
Michael Gaddy
Mancos
Via CortezJournal.com
