Daily Quote 6/25-29/2007

Mon. June 25, 2007.
"O sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if, to punish tyrants, it were only sufficient to assemble the people! Your arms, wherewith you could defend yourselves, are gone; and you have no longer an aristocratical, no longer a democratical spirit. Did you ever read of any revolution in a nation, brought about by the punishment of those in power, inflicted by those who had no power at all?"

--Patrick Henry (speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 5 June 1778); Reference: The Debates of the Several State..., Elliot, vol. 3 (51).

This is from our Founding Fathers, not someone of today. We happen to choose to listen...

Tue. 6/26/07.
"On every question of construction carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed."

--Thomas Jefferson (letter to William Johnson, 12 June 1823); Reference: Jefferson: Writings, Peterson ed., Library of America (1475).

That was a wise decision. I wish we had reputable people serving in our political offices that understood just what it cost and how long it took to come up with those documents and the spirit of them. Your fears have come true.

Wed. 6/27/07.
"Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world. Justly understood it is sacred next to those which we appropriate in divine adoration; but in the mouths of some it means anything, which enervate a necessary government; excite a jealousy of the rulers who are our own choice, and keep society in confusion for want of a power sufficiently concentered to promote good."

--Oliver Ellsworth (A Landholder, No. III, 19 November 1787); Reference: Essays on the Constitution of the United States, Ford, ed. (146); original The Connecticut Courant [Sheehan (4:4)].

Wow! He said a mouthful right there!

Thu. 6/28/07.
"Nothing more than a change of mind, my dear."

--James Madison (responding to his niece asking what was wrong, 28 June 1836); Reference: James Madison: Commander in Chief, Brandt, vol. 6 (520).

Fri. 6/29/07.
"Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property, according to standing laws. He is obliged, consequently, to contribute his share to the expense of this protection; and to give his personal service, or an equivalent, when necessary. But no part of the property of any individual can, with justice, be taken from him, or applied to public uses, without his own consent, or that of the representative body of the people. In fine, the people of this commonwealth are not controllable by any other laws than those to which their constitutional representative body have given their consent."

--John Adams (Thoughts on Government, 1776); Reference: The Works of John Adams, Charles Adams, ed., 225.

OH YEAH? What about the Kilo ruling??? Hmm??? This is one of the reasons I get so upset. It used to be you had to own land to vote. Why? SO THAT YOU WOULD BE AFFECTED BY YOUR VOTE! This is crap what is going on these days, and I do not like it. Should I buy a house? How do I know you won't want to build a super-market place? It sure would bring in more tax dollars for those whom are addicted to OUR money! Argghhh!

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