I'm a big fan of quotes

I love reading old books of quotes.  They are full of wisdom that many will never consider because most folks will never read them.  If you like these please link or steal them.  Wisdom needs to be spread across America.

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

                                                            Edmond Burke

                                                            Speech at House of Commons

                                                            7 Feb 1771

We have sometimes been tempted to define democracy as an institution in which the whole is equal to the scum of all the parts.

                                                            Keith Preston

                                                            Pot Shots for Pegasus


Power on an ancient consecrated throne,
Strong in possession, founded in old custom;

Power by a thousand tough and stringy roots,

Fixed to the people’s pious nursery-faith.

                                                            Schiller

                                                            Wallenstein Act 4, sc 4


If one is looking for rebels, one looks for principled men.
                                                            Leto II

                                                            God Emperor of Dune

Men, by their constitutions, are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes.  2. Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise, depository of the public interest…. In every country these two parties exist…. The appellation of Aristocrats and Democrats is the true one, expressing the essence of all.

                                                            Thomas Jefferson

                                                            Writings  Vol 14, p. 73

If Your President Has the Power to Assassinate You...

I saw this article by Michael S. Rozeff the other day and I have spent a few days digesting it.  Unfortunately, it rings true.  If death is the worst they can bring a man to, and they claim the power to kill American citizens, then in their minds nothing is beyond their reach.

If a President Has a Power to Assassinate You...

It is becoming clear, even to me, that there is a purpose behind the actions of the national government over the last several administrations.  I have to ask, "What have I done to warrant this unfortunate circumstance of being born when I was and having children who will have to live in a nation ruled over by these men and women?"  The answer is clearly "Nothing."  I have done nothing except live here, in these interesting times.  I think of the 200,000,000 plus people killed by their governments in the last 100 years and I shudder.  This can and unless further prevented, will happen here in America.

The greatest killer of humans last century was not small pox, influenza, plague, cancer or AIDS.  It was government.  Governments killed at least 230,000,000 people last century.  These were unarmed citizens, not military deaths.

I see that man's eyes and I wonder at the line of choices that brought him to that place, crouched at the edge of a pit filled with the bodies of his neighbors, expecting to die.  Was there a chance for him to resist?  Were his children in the pit already?  His wife?  Did he willingly submit to those who were killing him?  Will I?  I will not.