"It is true, the yeomanry of the country possess the lands, the weight of property, possess arms, and are too strong a body of men to be openly offended—and, therefore, it is urged, they will take care of themselves, that men who shall govern will not dare pay any disrespect to their opinions. It is easily perceived, that if they have not their proper negative upon passing laws in congress, or on the passage of laws relative to taxes and armies, they may in twenty or thirty years be by means imperceptible to them, totally deprived of that boasted weight and strength: This may be done in great measure by congress;"
by:
Richard Henry Lee
(1732-1794) Founding Father
Source:
Letters From The Federal Farmer (1787)
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Reader comments about this quote:
He could not have envisioned the complete transformation of America from a limited Republic into the communist nanny state it has become. End the Fed, Restore the Constitution.
 -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    The last line of the quote says it all, or nearly all.
     -- jim k, Austin, Tx     
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    good comments above
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Ya think?! ;-) Congress has gradually develoved into exactly the corrupt system our founders warned us about. Time to return to fundamental principles.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    What prescience! "...by means imperceptible to (us)", we have lost the Republic to the entrenched career politicians of congress.
     -- Byron, Fort Collins     
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    Democracy is majority rule be they good or be they evil. God forbids democracy, Exodus 23:2. "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil." The Constitution precludes democracy, Art.4, Sec. 4. Our limited republic has been transformed into an unlimited democracy and Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto has suerseded the Bill of Rights. You think not? His first 3 planks have saddled us with real estate, income and inhertiance taxes, ALL illusions since taxes cannot be paid with paper no matter how many millions think they are paying taxes. Plank #4 called for the "confiscation of property of immigrants and (tax) rebels." Try excercising your freedom of speech which includes the right to remain silient whem April the 15th rolls around. SEE how many rights you have!
     -- Dave Wilber, St. Louis     
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    Now in 2017 President Trump has taped/woken the Spirit of the yoeman farmers. The blood still runs through our veins though removed from our lands. Still the spirit runs hot in disdain for the Congress corrupted by greed and lust for power to control the masses. With the exodus of children leaving the rural home, in search of wealth and fame in the ever growing cities, the industrial revolution and its promise of success, has in tern removed and weakened the independent resolve of the sovereign individual and state. Nagas exaction, Nashah, usury. Grushah, dispossession. To tax, harass, and tyrannize. Distressed, oppressed by taskmasters, exactors. " Cultivation of the soil has within it a Positive Spiritual Good, and from it the cultivator acquires the virtues of " honor, manliness, self reliance, courage, moral integrity, and hospitality". The result from a direct contact with nature and, through nature a closer relationship with God. The Agrarian is blessed in that he follows the example of God in creating order out of chaos. Farmers are the most valuable citizens and the truest Republicans." Thomas Jefferson.
     -- Ronw13, Oregon     
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