On the record
Any government, that is its own judge of, and determines authoritatively for the people, what are its own powers over the people, is an absolute government of course.
Said by
Lysander Spooner
Source
gutenberg.orgLysander Spooner: “Any government, that is its own judge of, and determines authoritatively for the people, what are its own powers over…”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner critiques any government that defines its own powers without accountability to the people.
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More from Lysander Spooner
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 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 carry their heads high, above all other men, and demand our reverence and admiration, as statesmen, patriots, and benefactors.