It is not the business of government to make men virtuous or religious, or to preserve the fool from the consequences of his own folly. Government should be repressive no further than is necessary to secure liberty by protecting the equal rights of each from aggression on the part of others, and the moment governmental prohibitions extend beyond this line they are in danger of defeating the very ends they are intended to serve.
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Henry George (1839-1897) - American Economist and Author (via phabian)
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We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force.
Freedom
This abstract concept that is “Freedom” / “Liberty” is so deeply entrenched in American culture, so pivotally foundational to American government and history, is often taken for granted and not fully reflected upon.
One must remember that “Liberty” is an ideology. It is an idea with actual consensus-built parameters and standards. The failure to keep this in mind results in both improper usage of the freedom and expanding restrictions upon individual and collective freedom.
As was laid out in the Declaration of the Rights of Man August 26, 1789, there are only two restrictions that should ever be placed on freedom. First, that your actions should in no way cause harm, nor threaten to cause harm to any other individuals. Second, that your actions should in no way infringe on the freedom of others, nor attempt to restrict the freedom of others.
