“Do you really think that we wont those laws to be observed? … We want them broken. … There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be [...]
Posts Tagged as ‘government’
February 22, 2009
Ronald Reagan on Government
“In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem. From time to time, we have been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. But if [...]
February 16, 2009
George Washington on National Debt
“As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is, to use it as sparingly as possible; avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it; avoiding likewise the accumulation of [...]
February 14, 2009
Mark Twain on Congress
“It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress.”
– Mark Twain, Following the Equator
February 14, 2009
John Adams on Government
“There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.”
– John Adams, Notes for an Oration at Braintree (1772)
July 6, 2007
Thomas Jefferson on History
“History, in general, only informs us what bad government is.”
– Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Norvell, 14 June 1807
June 28, 2007
John Jay on Government
“Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government; and it is equally undeniable that whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it some of their natural rights, in order to vest it with requisite powers.”
– John Jay, The Federalist, No. 2
June 27, 2007
Alexander Hamilton on Public Concern
“Has it not… invariably been found that momentary passions, and immediate interests, have a more active and imperious control over human conduct than general or remote considerations of policy, utility, or justice?”
– Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist, No. 6
June 27, 2007
Donald Miller on Checks & Balances
“It is hard for us to admit we have a sin nature because we live in this system of checks and balances. If we get caught, we will be punished. But that doesn’t make us good people; it only makes us subdued. Just think about the Congress and Senate and even the president. The genius [...]
