U.S. Representative Davey Crockett

Mr. Crockett allegedly took a verbal licking from one Horatio Bunce for giving public money to survivors of a large fire in Georgetown: ""The people about Washington, no doubt, applauded you for relieving them from the necessity of giving by giving what was not yours to give." Ooops. Sound familiar?

The people have delegated to Congress, by the Constitution, the power to do certain things. To do these, it is authorized to collect and pay moneys, and for nothing else. Everything beyond this is usurpation, and a violation of the Constitution."

What a quaint idea.

"It is a precedent fraught with danger to the country, for when Congress once begins to stretch its power beyond the limits of the Constitution, there is no limit to it, and no security for the people."

Oh, please. What century were those people living in?