The Federalist Society ... and modern Federalism ... is a sham.
Federalism (e.g. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay) believed in a strong central government that took a generous interpretation of the powers granted to the federal government for the purposes of governing a nation.
It was anti-Federalism (e.g. Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams and James Monroe) that was suspect/jealous towards federal power and put state/individual concerns and rights above centralized/national interests.
The Federalists begrudgingly agreed to discuss a Bill of Rights after the Constitutional Convention … that came about at the demand of anti-Federalists who distrusted a federal government exercising powers without explicit protection for states and citizens; and stipulated a Bill of Rights as a condition for signing onto a Constitution to supplant the Articles of Confederation.
So, it is ironic that 21st conservatives embrace Federalism, when in fact they are anti-liberal and anti-Federalist in their beliefs and practice.
