Lysander Spooner: “And this is equivalent to saying that governments have all power, and the people no rights.”

When they have once taken our money, they have the decency to get out of our sight as soon as possible; they do not persist in following us, and robbing us, again and again, so long as we produce anything that they can take from us.

They do not carry their heads high, above all other men, and demand our reverence and admiration, as statesmen, patriots, and benefactors.

They do not tell us of the almshouses, hospitals, schools, churches, etc., which, out of the purest charity and benevolence, they maintain for our benefit, out of the money they take from us.

They neither ask, nor expect, any mercy, if they should ever fall into the hands of honest men.