November 02, 2004

Vote

Posted by Kieran

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.

Posted on November 2, 2004 01:42 PM UTC
Comments

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.

Posted by Ray · November 2, 2004 01:54 PM

(P.J. Proudhon, General Idea of the Revolution in the 19th Century)

Posted by Ray · November 2, 2004 02:00 PM

“Passe moi le sel, steuplais”

Me, yesterday at 21h37.

Posted by yabonn · November 2, 2004 04:20 PM

We will be GOVERNED whether we vote or not. The only choice we have is who GOVERNS us.

Posted by fyreflye · November 2, 2004 05:07 PM

A perfect self-fulfilling prophecy.

Posted by Ray · November 2, 2004 08:51 PM
Followups

→ Enlightened Minds.
Excerpt: Over at Crooked Timber: Vote they quote Toqueville: 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 tha...Read more at Foolippic
→ Enlightened Minds.
Excerpt: Over at Crooked Timber: Vote they quote Toqueville: 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 tha...Read more at Foolippic

This discussion has been closed. Thanks to everyone who contributed.