In the early 1500s, Niccolo Machiavelli lived and wrote in Italy. One of his best-known works is "The Prince" in which he undertakes to advise the "Magnificent Lorenzo Di Piero De Medici" on how to govern his newly found principalities.
Reading this has enlightened me to the reasons for the behaviors of some of the people for whom I have worked, and with whom I have associated in the past.
Today, though, I would like to draw your attention to a sentence that struck me as I read.
I have long said that the reason liberals or statists have such an infatuation with creating and maintaining a dependent class of citizens via welfare programs and expansion of the government payroll is to solidify and secure a bloc of votes.
Compassion, the greater good, and general welfare are the declared reasons for the statist's generosity with other people's money.
Here we see the lie in that assertion. Since at least the 16th century, tyrants and would-be dictators have heeded the axiom outlined by Machiavelli. I quote it below.
"Therefore a wise prince ought to adopt such a course that his citizens will always in every sort and kind of circumstance have need of the state and of him, and then he will always find them faithful."
We must, as Americans, refuse two things. We must refuse to cede any of our individual liberties to the State. And we must refuse to allow the State to take or accept any more personal responsibility from us or our fellow citizens. Programs that are designed or that can be used to perpetuate the personal abdication of our responsibilities must be abolished or reformed.
Much like narcotics used as pain medication, welfare programs are excellent means to get individuals through a low spot in life. However, they are addictive and can become the master and make the addict a slave. Even worse, once addicted to the drug, one is liable to give any or all of his liberties to the drug dealer.
In today's America, we have statist law makers - most of them affiliate themselves with the Democrat party, but many are Republicans - who play the part of the dealer and make entire groups of people their junkies. And when one attempts, as Newt Gingrich did, to point out the supreme offensiveness of a system that encourages and rewards indolence to the point that a portion of our population is NOT AWARE that an alternative called "honest work" exists, the cries of "racist" and "bigot" are deafening.
We will not, today, shout down the statist media. But in our private conversations, in our replies to questions, in our own outlets, let us quietly, confidently and relentlessly speak the reasoned and plain truth. We are creatures designed by a God and given by our very natures the means and the faculties to experience happiness in life and realize joy in filling the purposes of our creation. As such, the proper role of government is to protect God-given liberties and prevent injustice. Any action by government that infringes on liberties or imposes injustice on one - even in the interest of helping another - or seeks to remove personal responsibility from its citizens is patently offensive to Nature and Nature's God.
And it ought to be offensive to every person - and especially every American.
Reading this has enlightened me to the reasons for the behaviors of some of the people for whom I have worked, and with whom I have associated in the past.
Today, though, I would like to draw your attention to a sentence that struck me as I read.
I have long said that the reason liberals or statists have such an infatuation with creating and maintaining a dependent class of citizens via welfare programs and expansion of the government payroll is to solidify and secure a bloc of votes.
Compassion, the greater good, and general welfare are the declared reasons for the statist's generosity with other people's money.
Here we see the lie in that assertion. Since at least the 16th century, tyrants and would-be dictators have heeded the axiom outlined by Machiavelli. I quote it below.
"Therefore a wise prince ought to adopt such a course that his citizens will always in every sort and kind of circumstance have need of the state and of him, and then he will always find them faithful."
We must, as Americans, refuse two things. We must refuse to cede any of our individual liberties to the State. And we must refuse to allow the State to take or accept any more personal responsibility from us or our fellow citizens. Programs that are designed or that can be used to perpetuate the personal abdication of our responsibilities must be abolished or reformed.
Much like narcotics used as pain medication, welfare programs are excellent means to get individuals through a low spot in life. However, they are addictive and can become the master and make the addict a slave. Even worse, once addicted to the drug, one is liable to give any or all of his liberties to the drug dealer.
In today's America, we have statist law makers - most of them affiliate themselves with the Democrat party, but many are Republicans - who play the part of the dealer and make entire groups of people their junkies. And when one attempts, as Newt Gingrich did, to point out the supreme offensiveness of a system that encourages and rewards indolence to the point that a portion of our population is NOT AWARE that an alternative called "honest work" exists, the cries of "racist" and "bigot" are deafening.
We will not, today, shout down the statist media. But in our private conversations, in our replies to questions, in our own outlets, let us quietly, confidently and relentlessly speak the reasoned and plain truth. We are creatures designed by a God and given by our very natures the means and the faculties to experience happiness in life and realize joy in filling the purposes of our creation. As such, the proper role of government is to protect God-given liberties and prevent injustice. Any action by government that infringes on liberties or imposes injustice on one - even in the interest of helping another - or seeks to remove personal responsibility from its citizens is patently offensive to Nature and Nature's God.
And it ought to be offensive to every person - and especially every American.
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