I just picked up a new copy of The Federalist. I have not looked at this book in about 25 years but now believe that it should be required reading for anyone elected to public office (from the President down to the dog catcher).

The Federalist, also known as “The Federalist Papers” is a series of articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison. The first article appeared in New York newspapers on May 28, 1788. There are a total of 85 articles written over period of ten months by the authors under the pen name “Publius.” They were written to assist the American people in understanding the proposed Constitution and convince the states to ratify this document and hopefully to “form a more perfect Union…”

When I read The Federalist, I realize that Hamilton, Jay and Madison wrote beyond their years and their time to give us incredible background into what they were thinking as they formed the framework of the US Constitution. The value of these ideas and thought processes is unfathomable. They wrote anonymously. They wrote separately and they wrote as one. These three men put their differences aside to form an alliance for common purpose.

They were “men of letters.” In a time when a man’s honor was assumed until proven otherwise, he could write under a pen name so that his identity was protected and he could then write what he felt and believed without having to face the consequences of unpopular public opinion. Many of the Founding Fathers did this to avoid partisanship and reach out to those who disagreed with them. They talked. They Wrote. They argued and then compromised. In the end, they formed a more perfect Union.

A copy of “The Federalist” should be issued to every candidate for office the day they throw their hat into the ring.

You can find “The Federalist,” the Anti-Federalist and other related books and publications by clicking any of the links above.