When individuals in the State of Nature form government and consent to be governed they give up precisely the "executive power of the law of Nature" — that is, the right to exercise force except as authorized and permitted by law.
Wow. Just wow. And of course, I assume that being born implies consent. Naturally.
Now, let's hear from Noah Webster's "A Citizen of America":
The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive. [...] The powers vested in Congress are little more than nominal; nay real power cannot be vested in them, nor in any body, but in the people. The source of power is in the people of this country, and cannot for ages, and probably never will, be removed.
Four judges in 2008 did their best to dash Noah Webster's prediction, but they were defeated. Their minions will be back, again and again, so the "probably" remains—only we can ensure that we, the people of this country, retain our real power.
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