When we look at how our social contract was destroyed. We should look first to the men who opposed the adoption in the first place.
Centinel
A comparison of the authority under which the convention acted, and their form of government,
will show that they have despised their delegated power, and assumed sovereignty; that they
have entirely annihilated the old confederation, and the particular governments of the several
States, and instead thereof have established one general government that is to pervade the union;
constituted on the most unequal principles, destitute of accountability to its constituents, and as
despotic in its nature, as the Venetian aristocracy; a government that will give full scope to the
magnificent designs of the well-horn, a government where tyranny may glut its vengeance on the
low-born, unchecked by an odious bill of rights. . . ; and yet as a blind upon the understandings
of the people, they have continued the forms of the particular governments, and termed the
whole a confederation of the United States, pursuant to the sentiments of that profound, but
corrupt politician Machiavel, who advises
any one who would change the constitution of a state
to keep as much as possible to the old forms; for then the people seeing the same officers, the
same formalities, courts of justice and other outward appearances, are insensible of the alteration,
and believe themselves in possession of their old government.
Thus Caesar, when he seized the
Roman liberties, caused himself to be chosen dictator (which was an ancient office), continued
the senate, the consuls, the tribunes, the censors, and all other offices and forms of the
commonwealth; and yet changed Rome from the most free, to the most tyrannical government in
the world. . . .