Mark Steyn reminded me today of a few very good quotes from brilliant political writers of the past, which should provide guidance to people in all democracies.
“When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.”
-Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
“The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money.”
“Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.”
-Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859)
He also reminded me of some quotes from one of de Tocqueville’s contemporaries:
“The delusion of the day is to enrich all classes at the expense of each other” - The Law (1850)
“Try to imagine a regulation of labor imposed by force that is not a violation of liberty; a transfer of wealth imposed by force that is not a violation of property. If you cannot reconcile these contradictions, then you must conclude that the law cannot organize labor and industry without organizing injustice.” – The Law (1850)
“Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.” – Government (1848)
- Frédéric Bastiat (1801-1850)
One should always read those who came before and saw things clearly before it all became so muddled.