[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 18, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H3611-H3612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   WORDS OF WISDOM FROM JAMES MADISON

  (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, the American people are being prepared for 
war with Iraq with little or no discussion in this House. Longstanding 
prohibitions against political assassinations of foreign leaders have 
been lifted with little or no debate in this House. A policy of strike-
first preemptive attacks has been initiated, effectively nullifying the 
constitutional role of Congress under article 1, section 8 of the 
Constitution, assuring war at the whim of the President.
  Our Nation is being plunged into a state of continual warfare. 
President Madison once said:
  ``Of all the enemies to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be 
dreaded because it comprises and develops the

[[Page H3612]]

germ of every other. War is the parent of armies. From these proceed 
debts and taxes. And armies and debts and taxes are known instruments 
for bringing the many under the domination of the few. No nation could 
preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.''
  James Madison said that in 1795. In 2002 we would do well to remember 
those words.

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