James Madison, writing as Publius, wrote extensively in the Federalist Papers about the "diseases" incident to a republican form of government, the most dangerous of which is the tendency of a self-interested majority trampling the rights of individuals and minorities.  He wrote that elections alone would not be sufficient to protect against this "disease."  "Extraordinary measures" needed to be written into the Constitution to protect against the tyranny of the majority.  Among these, the Separation of Powers into three independent and co-equal branches of government: Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary, each with the power to veto the others. Congress was divided into two branches: The House, which gives each state power based on population; and the Senate, which gives smaller states equal power with the populous states.  Likewise, the Electoral College, without which the smaller states would not have joined the union.  The 2nd Amendment is the final check.

(cont'd)