Bertrand Russell Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"There is no nonsense so errant
that it cannot be made the creed
of the vast majority
by adequate governmental action."

by:	Bertrand Russell [Bertrand Arthur William Russell] (1872-1970) Philosopher, educator
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Categories:	Government, Politics
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Reader comments about this quote:

Welcome to Amerika -- Mike, Norwalk
It never ceases to amaze me when I think about the number of actions, which would be obvious violations of rights when perpetrated by a single individual, but which are considered legitimate when perpetrated by the majority or the state. -- Bryan Morton, Stuart, FL
Good show, Bryan. At the least, half of the congress should be wearing those day glow jump suits and steel bracelets and the other half being investigated. Instead ,they are sitting pretty inside the beltway and being re- elected. -- jim k, austin
Like borrowing our way to prosperity? -- E Archer, NYC
Only the institutionalizing of slavery in the south, comes to mind just now, as a negative result of government action. On the positive side I recall Lady Birds call to beautify America, or least folks "just don't throw trash out of your car window". The power of the bully pulpit is renown. I wish it had been used in the last 8 years, instead we had to rely on the loyal opposition like Al Gore. I long to see one President stand up in the middle of tax season and encourage and persuade the American people to do it right, and thus bring in the additional two or three hundred billion that is fraudulently ripped off each year. Would be a significant reduction in the annual deficit. -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas
Being the atheist that he was, I have no dooubt it was the creeds of the various religions that Bertrand Russell had in mind as the most errant of nonsense. He was correct, too. -- Jack, Green, OH
Slavery came before our government did. Our government got rid of it Waffler. Global warming is the kind of nonsense that the government is trying to make the creed of the vast majority via endless propaganda. The deficit can only be reduced by fiscal responsibility. No matter how much taxes are collected or raised spending will always increase by a bigger percentage. That was proven over and over again. 1980's were a prime example of how a massive increase in tax revenue actually ended up with higher deficit numbers. -- warren, olathe
The colonies had slavery, the constitution allowed it to continue. Only when the Constitution was Amended did it officially cease, thus government of the colonies and the USA recognized, encouraged and institutionalized "errant nonsense". Later rather than sooner and after a bloody war did government get it right. Excess revenues under Clinton were used to reduce the National Debt, due to fiscal responsibility. Four years of multi-billion dollar surpluses in a row. The right wing complained that "the surplus belongs to the people". The right wing fails to also state that "the National Debt belongs to the people". Nice to hear from you Warren. -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas
Excellent! Oh I could name so many things! -- RobertSRQ
Jack, great to see your comments. You know we vehemently disagree most of the time but you have such consistent, knowledgeable, and thought through statements. Not like those that can not distinguish between private and institutionalized slavery (such as having the President stand up and rightly enforce compelled compliance through governmental larceny). -- Mike, Norwalk
As least some commentators make you laugh, Mike. In your tortured life of being a victim, suffering compelled compliance and general bordom which shows in your shallow and trivial posts. -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas

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