"But what is tyranny? Or how can a free people be deprived of their liberties? Tyranny is the exercise of some power over a man, which is not warranted by law, or necessary for the public safety. A people can never be deprived of their liberties, while they retain in their own hands, a power sufficient to any other power in the state."
by:
Noah Webster
(1758-1843) American patriot and scholar, author of the first dictionary of American English usage (1806) and the author of the 1828 edition of the dictionary that bears his name.
Source:
An Examination into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, 42-43, (1787)
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Reader comments about this quote:
Tyranny is when the local SWAT team can break down your door, tie you up, and search your home all because some neighbor down the street said you were a dealer in drugs. Or when the cops stop you and find out you have 800 or 900 dollars in cash and steal your car on the pretence that you got the money selling drugs. Another fine example is forcing you to fill out a 1040 confession sheet and then stealing your money every April 15th.
 -- jim k, Austin, Tx     
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    "a power sufficient to any other power in the state."... which is exactly what the founders envisioned when they created the 2nd Amendment.
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    You are so right Jim K. I have little respect for our ancestors who allowed the 16th ammendent to be passed.
     -- cal, lewisville, tx     
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    Carlton, while the power of the military/militia is in the people's hands lawfully, we need more than arms to exercise equal or higher power than the state -- we need control of our money, our labors, and the press. The government's racketeering goes further than simply monopolizing armed force. Armed rebellion will give the state exactly what it wants: an excuse to impose martial law with the terrorists now being 'us'. A Gandhian approach will still be necessary -- that is to take a committed stand against an overwhelming force on faith and principle alone. Nothing can defeat the indomitable spirit of liberty once awakened.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Do you really think a Gandhian peaceful revolution could still work Archer? For a revolution of that kind to work, the government powers that be must still have some shred of conscience and morality. I'm afraid we are very close to passing that point; the point where the government agents answer they are just following orders while they're breaking bones and rounding up the usual suspects to be hauled off to some shiny, new detention facility where they're held indefinitely. Perhaps the only thing left then is the John Galt approach. Allow the takers to starve and then pick up the pieces later.
     -- Ken, Allyn, WA     
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    Archer, certainly the Federal Reserve must go. I believe that once it's gone the rest will fall into place. But for that to happen people need to understand just what it has been doing. Keep educating as many as you can.
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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