James Madison

At a time when only 12 of the American people possess a positive attitude towards the current job that our representatives in Congress are doing , it would behoove those who believe that government is completely out of touch with the needs of its people and that nothing good ever came out of government . In American history , there are hundreds of examples to the contrary . Out of these many examples comes one of the most underrated of them all : James Madison . Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson , instrumental in the passage of the

Louisiana Purchase , the renewal of the charter for the national bank , a two term President and intrigue part of the founding of the country James Madison is one of the most important figures in American history

James Madison became involved in the formation of a new nation the United States of America at an early age . At only the age of 24 , Madison served in the Virginia state legislature from 1776 , until 1779 . It was then that Madison became a protygy for Thomas Jefferson and the two would work very close together until Jefferson 's death fifty years later . The two shared similar beliefs on government . Madison was instrumental , along with the help of Jefferson , in drafting the Declaration of Religious Freedom which disestablished the Church of England and broke up any claims towards power that the church attempted to have in state matters . One of these was Patrick Henry 's push for an involuntary tithe to be paid to the congregation of one 's own choice Madison and Jefferson believed this to be a violation of the separation of church and state an idea that is not found in the Constitution but because of the efforts of Madison and Jefferson , many believe to this day is actually in the founding of this country . It was and is a belief that many Americans hold very dear to their hearts

While in the State legislature , Madison became a strong advocate of a strong central government a government which was impossible to flourish under the Articles of Confederation which favored the rights ' of states and as a result , left an impotent federal government . This sentiment was shared by a large majority of his countrymen at this time who although many were advocates of states ' rights themselves , knew that the Articles of Confederation could no longer correctly govern the country . A Constitution was written in 1787 and ratified by all thirteen states in the immediately following years . Although seen as a foregone conclusion by the casual contemporary observer , our current government 's formation was not written in stone . Although a shy man in private , Madison pushed exceedingly hard for the views and beliefs that he felt in his heart was in the best interest of the country . Madison was a loud and strong advocate for a three branch government as we have today as well as a strong federal government who , if needed , could overrule the actions of the states if...