For any individual, there are two ways to become wealthier. One is to do something productive. The other is to redistribute existing resources in one’s own favor. If we all work, we create wealth, and society is better off. But if we all do nothing except try to get our hands into our neighbors’ pockets, we will all be very busy, yet we will all eventually starve.
Reason, May 1994
Of all the systems of political economy which have shaped our history, none has so revolutionized ordinary expectations of human life — lengthened the life span, made the elimination of poverty and famine thinkable, enlarged the range of human choice — as democratic capitalism. . . Michael Novak
For intending to establish three departments, co-ordinate and independent, that they might check and balance one another, it has given, according to this opinion, to one of them alone, the right to prescribe rules for the government of the others, and to that one too, which is unelected by, and independent of the nation. … The constitution, on this hypothesis, is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any form they please. … These are examples of my position, that each of the three departments has equally the right to decide for itself what is its duty under the constitution, without any regard to what the others may have decided for themselves under a similar question. Thomas Jefferson
letter to Judge Spencer Roane, September 6, 1819. ‘The Writings of Thomas Jefferson,’ edited by Andrew A. Lipscomb, vol. 15, p. 213 (1904). On the limits of Judicial review and the importance of all three branches supporting the constitution.
Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something wearing stripes with plaid comes easy. Albert Einstein
During my 11 years in congress, I have consistently opposed federal funding for abortions. In my opinion, it is wrong to spend federal funds for what is arguably taking of a human life. Let me assure you that I share your belief that innocent human life must be protected, and I am committed to furthering this goal. Al Gore
In a May 26, 1987 letter to a constituent.
Jealous people poison their own banquet, and then eat it.
The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind. Thomas Jefferson
1790, (1743-1826).(Investor’s Business Daily, November 25, 1998)
The rule of law in America is under fire. The rule of law about which our chairman, Mr. Henry Hyde, spoke so eloquently just a few short moments ago; the rule of law which finds its highest and best embodiment in the absolute, the unshakable right each one of us has to walk into a courtroom and demand the righting of a wrong. Bob Barr
U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga. AP, Dec 18, 1998
Fallacies take strongest hold not when they are flatly stated, but when they are buried in euphemism, assumption and implicit analogy, then repeated a thousand times in public discourse. So Wesley Clark refers to:1. ‘share of national income,’which implies a zero-sum game. Tiger Woods has a very high ‘share of national birdies.’ Therefore what exactly? Let’s redistribute some of his birdies to my scorecard?2. ‘the fortunate few.’ He makes no mention of any factor other than good fortune to explain why someone might earn more money than someone else. I used to think Tiger had achieved something great. Wesley Clark knows it was only luck. Barry Milliken
Wall Street Journal, Letters, January 14, 2004
Never argue with an idiot. They’ll drag you down to their level then beat you with experience. Unknown