Accountable to the Spirit of Freedom

Congress continues to debate it's healthcare 'resolution' if one could ever call it such. The vote is meant to be completed by the end of this week--on Sunday, probably, because the house cannot garner the votes that it needs to pass any of the various kinds of legislation it has been fighting over.
The fact that the "final" (though i doubt very much it will be 'final' until it passes) deadline is just before the easter recess of congress makes me a bit nervous. being a, if only amateur, student of the constitution, I am again making my way through the federalist papers. This morning, i read from federalist 57 where James Madison argues that the House of Representatives will be fully accountable to the people. he makes three distinctive arguments 1) that the House has to face reelection often and thus is unlikely to do anything flagrantly against the will of those who gave them power. 2) That the people we elect to office aught to be, as often as possible, enlightened statesmen who would seek the liberty of all people. and 3) Those laws they create must apply equally to themselves as much as others. It is here that Madison makes a chilling point. He admits that at some point congress may seek to create laws from which it is exempt and here demands that the people be not tolerant of this unjust action. To Madison, the very tolerance of any such law would be contrary to the "vigilant and manly spirit which actuates the people of America"
says Madison:
"If this spirit shall ever be so far debased as to tolerate a law not obligatory on the Legislature as well as on the people, the people will be prepared to tolerate anything but liberty."
A chilling statement indeed. Now, It is of comfort to note that the America people have thus far shown little tolerance for the actions of a congress bent on toying with some of the worst of kickbacks (think cornhuskers) and threats against representatives and abuse of power. But it is interesting to note that Congress is seeking to insulate itself from the public by having an up or down vote on this bill before the people can have their way with their representatives during town hall meetings. if you'll remember, the last one's were not so pleasant for democratic congressmen.
Whether congress succeeds or not, I'll bet that easter recess is not pretty for them. I will be keeping my eyes out for the people's response--it's time we show that we will not tolerate a Congress of follies.