The Jefferson Discussion Group of Orlando

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The Thomas Jefferson Discussion Group
of Orlando, Florida

Meeting No. 56 -March 21, 2006
Holiday House Restaurant, Orlando, Florida



THIS MONTH'S TOPIC:
SEPARATION OF POWERS:
HAS THE CONCEPT AND PRACTICE CHANGED
FROM JEFFERSON TO BUSH? PART II


A key element in our system of government is the separation of powers of its the three branches. The founding fathers recognized what Lord Acton was to later warn: "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely!"

The fact that we have three branches of government (one of which is a two-part, (bicameral) legislature) shows the concern the founders had for spreading the power out over several groups, each with their own specific responsibility and authority. But, with that, a system of checks and balances – a system that requires an interaction between the branches to ensure one branch’s self-interest is always secondary to the best interest of the people - also was needed to be put in place.

Once citizens agree to yield some of their rights and power to a government, a structure needs to be in place to ensure this granted power is not abused. Our constitution lays out the structure that our founders though best. It recognizes the need for itself to change over time, and consequently allows for itself to be revised. The pros and cons of many structural options were discussed and debated in the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers, and in the constitutional convention.

With all this said we still must, to this day, interpret what is the correct application of this structure in an ever changing environment. We put people in our government who represent our world view. Theoretically, through a democratic process the consensus "world view" wins – with certain protections to the minority "world views."

Join us at 6:30 Wednesday evening at the Holiday House on Lee Road, to explore how the idea of separation of powers manifested itself in Jefferson’s time and how it manifests itself today.




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