On the record
Now, sir, this is the real character of the government of the United States, as it is of all other lawmaking governments.
Said by
Lysander Spooner
Source
gutenberg.orgLysander Spooner: “Now, sir, this is the real character of the government of the United States, as it is of all other lawmaking…”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner describes his view of the true nature of the U.S. government in relation to individual rights.
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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 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.
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.
On the contrary, they acknowledge themselves robbers, murderers, and villains, pure and simple.