Rights of Church and State

John Adams still has something to say

Finally got around to watching the excellent mini-series and googled for some of his quotes:

The very definition of a republic is an empire of laws, and not of men. . . . that form of government which is best contrived to secure an impartial and exact execution of law, is the best of republics.

And:

Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it.

How many of our politicians have actually read the works of the founding fathers, do you think? Anybody?