"All you have to do, is to see whether the law takes from some what belongs to them in order to give it to others to whom it does not belong. We must see whether the law performs, for the profit of one citizen and to the detriment of others, an act which that citizen could not perform himself without being guilty of a crime. Repeal such a law without delay. ... [I]f you don’t take care, what begins by being an exception tends to become general, to multiply itself, and to develop into a veritable system."
by:
Frederic Bastiat
(1801-1850) [Claude Frederic Bastiat] French economist, statesman, and author. He did most of his writing during the years just before -- and immediately following -- the French Revolution of February 1848
Source:
"The Law" by Frederic Bastiat (1850)
http://liberty-tree.ca/research/TheLaw
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Reader comments about this quote:
Without a doubt the most succinct, and to the point explanation of everything that is wrong with our entire system. End the Fed AND the IRS.
 -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    Our government over the last 100 years has set-up unlawful laws and bureaucracies that have multiplied themselves and spread like a virulent virus. They have thus turned into a veritable system of government corruption running counter to the Supreme Rule of Law.
     -- Mary - MI     
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    One of the best I have ever seen. This describes perfectly the situation we are now in.
     -- T Kaspar, Omaha     
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    At law, where is the legal nexus that gives the right to the most powerful to commit larceny but imprisons the individual for doing the same. It is a crime against nature and every individual that is robbed. Waffler that used to post here regularly is an excellent example. As an IRS employee, he supported his life style by enforced larceny - stealing from everyone for his benefit. Car insurance is another example. If I buy a $200,000 Ferrari, do I have the personal responsibility to insure that the vehicle will stay nice, without scratch or ding; or, do I have the right to walk next door, point a gun at my neighbor and force him to give me money or him to by insurance because I didn't want to take responsibility for my self. When all are forced to pay, only government and insurance companies benefit, I have to pay extra. The here quote very accurately depicts "The Law".
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    And so it is. I re-read The Law every couple years (there is a link above). This should be the foundation of the legal system. This should be enshrined in the Constitution. It should be carved in stone at the Supreme Court and in the Capitol. Once we stray and turn the 'law' into a system of theft and counterfeiting, we have lost control of our government and become 'subjects' and serfs. We are sovereigns -- it is time we started acting like it.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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