bq. The humblest individual who co-operates in the government of society acquires a certain degree of self-respect; and as he possesses authority, he can command the services of minds more enlightened than his own. He is canvassed by a multitude of applicants, and in seeking to deceive him in a thousand ways, they really enlighten him. He takes a part in political undertakings which he did not originate, but which give him a taste for undertakings of the kind. New improvements are daily pointed out to him in the common property, and this gives him the desire of improving that property which is his own. He is perhaps neither happier nor better than those who came before him, but he is better informed and more active.
— _Democracy in America_, Book I, Ch. 14.
{ 5 comments }
Ray 11.02.04 at 1:54 pm
To be GOVERNED is to be watched, inspected, spied upon, directed, law-driven, numbered, regulated, enrolled, indoctrinated, preached at,controlled, checked, estimated, valued, censured, commanded, by creatureswho have neither the right nor the wisdom nor the virtue to do so. To be GOVERNED is to be at every operation, at every transaction noted,registered, counted, taxed, stamped, measured, numbered, assessed, licensed, authorized, admonished, prevented, forbidden, reformed, corrected, punished.
It is, under pretext of public utility, and in the name of the general interest, to be placed under contribution, drilled, fleeced, exploited, monopolized, extorted from, squeezed, hoaxed, robbed; then, at the slightest resistance, the first word of complaint, to be repressed, fined, vilified, harassed, hunted down, abused, clubbed, disarmed, bound, choked, imprisoned, judged, condemned, shot, deported, sacrificed, sold, betrayed; and to crown all, mocked,ridiculed, derided, outraged, dishonored. That is government; that is its justice; that is its morality.
Don’t vote.
Ray 11.02.04 at 2:00 pm
(P.J. Proudhon, General Idea of the Revolution in the 19th Century)
yabonn 11.02.04 at 4:20 pm
“Passe moi le sel, steuplais”
Me, yesterday at 21h37.
fyreflye 11.02.04 at 5:07 pm
We will be GOVERNED whether we vote or not. The only choice we have is who GOVERNS us.
Ray 11.02.04 at 8:51 pm
A perfect self-fulfilling prophecy.
Comments on this entry are closed.