The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.
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What Jefferson called the greatest commentary on Government ever written, organized by topic!
Get a FREE Copy of "The Essential Federalist Papers
What Jefferson called the greatest commentary on Government ever written, organized by topic!
Perfection, leaves little room for comment.
Unless the American people wake up to the many negative factions or groups in our country who work with and encourage revolution in the guise of protesting some “right” we will find our country being run by tyrannical political leaders, and even a president, who believes they have the ultimate power and authority to decide what will be. Think of the errant judges, a decision to support the UN by consulting with them instead of our own Congress in matters of war (Libya), the banning of oil rich fields while building up the production of a foreign country so we can become their best customer.
The people of Israel wanted a king. God suggested they didn’t need a king because they had God as their King. He even told them through the prophet Samuel that if they had a king over them that he (the king) would take their sons and their daughters to be his slaves. He would also take their land away from them and give it to his officers. He would also take their animals. 2 Samuel 8:18 says “they shall cry out in that day because of their king which they shall have chosen; and the Lord will not hear them in that day.”
When we “seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual”, we choose at the same time to give up certain rights and freedoms. I believe if we want to be a free people, we must NOT take any money from the Federal Government. As long as we take from the government, we are slaves to that government.
How could I add more after Patricia and David’s posting? Thank You.
This quote is very relevant to what I have noticed drives much of the Progressive agenda and “logic” (and I do use that term VERY loosely in this context) – vindictiveness. The hatred and bile that saturates every progressive ideal is astounding. Even more so because it is directed at those who are different, in direct conflict to their continued championing of “diversity”. Diversity means also successful people, people who have all kinds of views, not just championing members of a short list of socially approved oppressed groups whose mere mention at cocktail parties is assumed to carry with it conveyance of a liberal halo for one’s great intellectual prowess and thoughtfullness toward one’s fellow man. Both sides of the American body politic have become obsessed with enforcing their “vision” of American on everyone uniformly through some perverted applicaiton of “equality”. Forgetting that what made this country great was true diversity in which different groups coexisted and flourished or failed on their own merits, rather than having some governmental (or religous) authority dictating who is right and who is wrong.
Washington was absolutely correct: America is in the grips of a “frightful despotism.” As proof, see Senator Chuck Schumer’s comments on a telephone conference revealed today.
Sen Schumer’s discussion of “talking points” with fellow dem. senators while reporters were listening may be somewhat embarrassing, but it certainly is not indicative of despotism. Indicative of despotism would be Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s telephone conversation with the fake Koch. Schumer’s talking points are far less concerning than the GOP talking points like “Kenyan,” “death panels,” “socialist,” and my new favorite: Newt’s “secular atheist radical Muslim.” Speaking of Newt: now there is a man who would tend to the despot end of the spectrum.
“Horrid Enormities”
Washington’s observation is so deeply perceptive. The stagnation of government while the the froth of dissension is whipped up into a frenzy.
It not views (of either party) that is being scrutinized here. It is the fact that there seems to be a love of schism and agitation and a delight in impasse. Like two Elks with their horns locked up in duel for pissing rights.
I am glad to hear the portents posted here from our Founders to give a wakeup slap to all of us. It is just a shame that it won’t put a stick between the dog fight up on Capitol Hill.
Lauren, I often wonder what web site you libs get your talking points from? You’d be far better off to get your marching orders from reality.
It would do us well to remember that it was a “Declaration of Independence”, not a “Declaration of Dependence”.
What did Walker say that condemns his ethic or behavior? Schummer, however, is openly planning and stressing distortion of the GOP party position. But then, With Lauren, that would be perfectly OK… SHe does that on her every post.
I have no idea what she is talking about. But, what’s new?
She hits and runs See her again maybe next week…..
What is going on here is quite simple. The democrats want totalitarian rule and the rest of us better damn well like it!!!
Looks like Washington was right.
Well–here I am back. (Food thing–who knows how many rude personal attacks would have been added if I had stayed away longer.) I spent a short time away to have supper with one of my children–which seems a far better way to spend valuable lifetime minutes than to engage in some sort defense of things that should require no defense. For example: Dan, it is in the nature of FB posting that people do it in their spare/free time. If a person is “away” from a stream there is probably a good reason OTHER than that they have hit and run as you put it. I may not be back until next week because I have a life beyond FB. Anyone who would like to have a more meaningful discussion with me should feel free to message me. But it is socially immature and just plain rude to treat me in the way that both you and David have on this stream. You guys disagree with my viewpoints. That does not need to lead to rude FB behavior. Rise above gentlemen. And just fyi–I do not agree in the least that the US is in the grip of despotism.
It looks like Washington was suspicious of a large standing army:
Hence, likewise, they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establishments which, under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty
No personal attacks allowed at risk of being banned!
Both Parties have US around 14 Trillion in Debt. We should be listening to the rest of Washington’s farewell address about not getting into Foreign entanglements. I lean more to the left; for the acts of compassion it does, though would love smaller Govt. All of it is just waisted rhetoric from both sides. Am I off topic here to say that that smaller Govt, should be at local City, County and State Levels, of which Unions are going to have a say?
Wise wise words that could make such a differencce in our government if we learned it more schools.
Reading back over this thread, I don’t see any personal attacks. Besides, we really shouldn’t be so thin skinned. There are places where I debate that I am in the minority, and oh the things they say. I try not to defend myself from personal attacks, and just keep arguing the issue. If you’re going to debate, you need to toughen up.
What i find so ironic here is how quickly the commentary is reduced to exactly the kind of partisanship that Washington was talking about. @Joseph. I am not sure how the history of this country proves that groups thrived or didn’t without any government intervention. Slavery is the legalized exploitation of one group of people for the economic benefit of another. I don’t see how the government could become any more involved than that. Jim Crow was yet another form of government intervention favoring one group over another. It’s fine to love our country and what I love most about it is the ability to recognize past mistakes and work to make amends. We have not always been consistent but we do strive to live our ideals.
Michael, I agree with the first part of what you said above. The Foreign entanglements have always been a thorn in my side. And anyone with half a brain has to understand that the debt thing can’t keep going. But respectfully, I don’t see the acts of compassion from the left. If these acts of compassion are the government giving money to people that won’t work, it is not truly compassion. And there is no way smaller government and giving away other people’s money can coexist.
Lauren, I did not attack you, and neither did David that I can see… We disagreed and questioned you… which you responded to with a charge that we attacked you. Is that how you believe debate on FB works?
I made the observation that you do tend to drop a controversial remark, then when challenged, do not return to support it or answer questions asked because of it… usually it is a permanent departure from the thread involved. I didn’t make it up, it is a matter of record in these threads past. I meant no attack then, nor do I now. Did either of us call you a name or issue an insult? I don’t see it … even in an inference. I didn’t even say you wouldn’t come back, just suggested not to expect it soon based upon past observation.
You’re right, it is the nature of FB to be free and spare-time. But usually when one engages a debate with a controversial comment, they are expected to support or defend it, not drop it and disappear.
Now Rise Up, Madam, and respond to the questions regarding your statements and charges that brought them, because your diversion to accuse us of attacking you is NOT an answer. This is not an attack, this is a challenge. No one has been rude, but direct and to the point.
I am a progressive liberal and find a lot of worthwhile content in the comments by David, Dan, Joseph and others who are concerned about Big Government and Taxation. We echo the same concerns, but only add our concerns for the even more destructive inroads of the oligarchs upon our freedoms. Adam Smith warned us that without transparent regulation of the marketplace, monopolists will take over and wipe out the middle class. Washington clearly echoed that sentiment – warning us of the invidious private factions. Liberals wrote the Federalist Papers, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.