On the legitimate role of government in a free society

“What is the legitimate role of government in a free society? To understand how America’s Founders answered this question, we have only to look at the rule book they gave us – the Constitution. Most of what they understood as legitimate powers of the federal government are enumerated in Article 1, Section 8. Congress is authorized there to do 21 things, and as much as three-quarters of what Congress taxes us and spends our money for today is nowhere to be found on that list.” -- Walter Williams, "Future Prospects for Economic Liberty." Imprimis, Vol. 32, No. 9, Sep 2009: 1-5