January 1, 2025

Why was government instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without restraint.

Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804), American politician, The Federalist (1787-1788), No. 15, Seldes p.172

What experience have you had around not conforming to the dictates of reason and justice—not as a victim but as a perpetrator? What restraints should have been imposed on you?

Rely on Hamilton to nail it! This is such a good place to begin the year as the politician’s job is, at bottom, to set the rules by which her jurisdiction is to be run—whether an entire nation, or the smallest ward in a metropolis of great size! The politician is, by definition, a constrainer of liberty in the service of reason and justice. That is the first function of any government.