If people can't be trusted to govern themselves...

1. 86

   Annsaloposted 8 years ago

   If people can't be trusted to govern themselves...
   
   why are a select few trusted to govern us all?

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2. 0

   RTalloniposted 8 years ago

   Your question highlights the difference between people who think more government control of our lives is a good thing and those who believe less is best.  Our Founders documents make good reading on the topic and the Declaration of Independence sums it up pretty well. 
   
   Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
   -George Washington, letter to James Madison, March 2, 1788
   
   If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.
   -Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776
   
   In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by power. America has set the example ... of charters of power granted by liberty. This revolution in the practice of the world, may, with an honest praise, be pronounced the most triumphant epoch of its history, and the most consoling presage of its happiness.
   -James Madison, National Gazette Essay, January 18, 1792
   
   
   There is no part of the administration of government that requires extensive information and a thorough knowledge of the principles of political economy, so much as the business of taxation. The man who understands those principles best will be least likely to resort to oppressive expedients, or sacrifice any particular class of citizens to the procurement of revenue. It might be demonstrated that the most productive system of finance will always be the least burdensome.
   -Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 35, 1788
   
   Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it.
   -John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776

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3. 80

   tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

   It is the small group that wants to rule that says "you're too stupid to make the decisions, give us the power, we know better than you, we promise to take care of you".

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