"The Founders of the Constitution knew that nearly every democracy in the history of the world had finally degenerated into tyranny, empire, or a kingdom. They knew that had happened because gradually all the powers of the government were delegated by the people to one man or a small group of men. Delegated usually in an emergency, they were never surrendered. For that reason, they set up a written constitution to be interpreted by independent courts... And the courts were given the job of protecting individual freedom against the powers of government." - Robert Taft
