On the record
How shall it be preserved from degeneration into a mere government for the benefit of a part only of those who established, and who support it?
Said by
Lysander Spooner
Source
gutenberg.orgLysander Spooner: “How shall it be preserved from degeneration into a mere government for the benefit of a part only of those who…”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner warns against the potential for government to serve only a select few rather than the entire populace.
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More from Lysander Spooner
On the contrary, they acknowledge themselves robbers, murderers, and villains, pure and simple.
They do not carry their heads high, above all other men, and demand our reverence and admiration, as statesmen, patriots, and benefactors.
In short, they acknowledge themselves hostes humani generis: enemies of the human race.
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.