>Thanks for the clarification. Being an immigrant with not that many years as a citizen, shows I still have a few things to learn. I'll read the Federalist Papers as you suggest.

The Federalist Papers is one of the great works of American history, but be aware that it's only one of the points of view at that time. A more neutral book about the creation of the Constituion is "Miracle at Philadelphia" by Bowen.

Also, Dr. Thomas Sowell, who Doug keeps recommending is fairly well-known as a conservative. (Actually, one website I just looked at refers to him as a libertarian.) Definitely doesn't represent the mainstream.

Tamar