"Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property, according to standing laws. He is obliged, consequently, to contribute his share to the expense of this protection; and to give his personal service, or an equivalent, when necessary. But no part of the property of any individual can, with justice, be taken from him, or applied to public uses, without his own consent, or that of the representative body of the people. In fine, the people of this commonwealth are not controllable by any other laws than those to which their constitutional representative body have given their consent."
by:
John Adams
(1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President
Source:
Thoughts on Government, 1776
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Reader comments about this quote:
Several strings of truth woven through a fabric of easily misapplied interpretation. By way of example: "Each individual", is just that - "each individual" period. From an outside in perspective "of the society" lends itself to "the society" being interpreted as the primary focus of importance; after all, it is the society's job to protect life, liberty and property - WRONG ! ! ! It is the individual's right to protect personal life, liberty, property and the enjoyment of happiness (individually or united with other sovereign individuals). "according to standing laws"? ? ? - are those standing laws the current canons of the occupying statist theocracy, the corporation(s)' by-laws that have replaced natural law's rules of order, or, a transposed maritime application on land? How mandatory will the "obligation" be? ? ? The whole of the concept, principles describing individual inalienable rights, and constitutional laws of nature and of nature's God are absolutely antithetical to Locke's and others social contract and in toto rejected by liberty implementation. At liberty, constitutional principles and the laws of nature and of nature's God men are not to be controlled by this or any commonwealth, the laws/carnal god's edicts, or otherwise.A man's natural rights are his own, against the whole world; and any infringement of them is equally a crime, whether committed by one man, or by millions; whether committed by one man, calling himself a robber, (or by any other name indicating his true character,) or by millions, calling themselves a government. (Lysander Spooner)
 -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    " We are endowed by our Creator." Thank you Mike for clearing up the troubled spot. Liberty, being an element of spiritual substance is not bound by mortal mans carnal edicts. "Constitutional laws of nature" would indeed have to encompass Einstein's theory of space, time, coupled with Quantum entanglement. " Chance happens to all." yet, there are spiritual agents predisposed for an elected purposed. Phistist use the term " spooky " when speaking of entanglement. The term " New Creature " Paul speaks of, implies a different Frame/mindset which conforms within the laws of nature being revealed through Quantum mechanics. Truth seeks reality as science seeks after God/Creator. Very harmonious, there are no discords. Mike, Norwalk bears the marks of a New Creature. It is a fact the Creator exist and does make contact, Quantum entanglement is providing understanding as to the How and Why we have contact. Awakening indeed.
     -- Ronw13, Oregon     
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    unsigned social contract? Adams should have had a conversation with Spooner.
     -- Howard, Bangkok     
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