The framers of the U.S. Constitution included bill of attainder clauses to keep legislatures from penalizing targeted individuals or groups without a judicial trial. Ever-popular reparations packages, which tax Peter to help compensate Paul for injustices suffered (often by Paul’s ancestors), violate the framers’ intent.

Mathew Manweller is an instructor of political science at the University of Oregon, Eugene.
Constitutional LawLaw and Liberty