On the record
You evidently believe that the men who made those laws were duly authorized to make them; and that you yourself have been duly authorized to enforce them.
Said by
Lysander Spooner
Source
gutenberg.orgLysander Spooner: “You evidently believe that the men who made those laws were duly authorized to make them; and that you yourself have…”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner asserts that the belief in the authority of lawmakers is unfounded and unjustified.
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More from Lysander Spooner
They do not tell us that they have established infallible supreme courts, to whom they refer all questions as to the legality of their acts, and that they do nothing that is not sanctioned by these courts.
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 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 do not attempt to deceive us, or mislead us, or reconcile us to their doings, by any such pretences, impostures, or insults as these.