Tom Paine's quote "On Constitutions"
Received 31st Jan 2007:
Dear Sir, I think the following words of Tom Paine say it all, and can only be fulfilled by a referendum of the people.
Tom Paine quote:
On Constitutions
That men mean distinct and separate things when they speak of constitutions and of governments, is evident; or why are those terms distinctly and separately used? A constitution is not the act of a government, but of a people constituting a government; and government without a constitution, is power without a right.
Government has no right to make itself a party in any debate respecting the principles or modes of forming, or of changing, constitutions.
It is not for the benefit of those who exercise the powers of government that constitutions, and the governments issuing from them, are established. In all those matters the right of judging and acting are in those who pay, and not in those who receive.
A constitution is the property of a nation, and not of those who exercise the government.
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