On the record
These propositions were, first, that government has all power; and, secondly, that the people have no rights.
Said by
Lysander Spooner
Source
gutenberg.orgLysander Spooner: “These propositions were, first, that government has all power; and, secondly, that the people have no rights.”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner identifies two fundamental propositions that he believes underpin flawed legal and political systems.
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More from Lysander Spooner
They do not attempt to deceive us, or mislead us, or reconcile us to their doings, by any such pretences, impostures, or insults as these.
On the contrary, they acknowledge themselves robbers, murderers, and villains, pure and simple.
They do not tell us that we are the freest and happiest people on earth, inasmuch as each of our male adults is allowed one voice in ten millions in the choice of the men, who are to rob, enslave, and murder us.
They do not tell us that all liberty and order would be destroyed, that society itself would go to pieces, and man go back to barbarism, if it were not for the care, and supervision, and protection, they lavish upon us.