"At the heart of western freedom and democracy is the belief that the individual man ... is the touchstone of value, and all society, groups, the state, exist for his benefit. Therefore the enlargement of liberty for individual human beings must be the supreme goal and abiding practice of any western society."
by:
Robert F. Kennedy
(1925-1968), US Senator, Attorney General
Source:
Speech, University of Capetown, 6 June 1966
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 -- Anonymous      
How different things could have been ~~~~
 -- dragonswizardz     
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    To compare freedom to democracy, as the basis of anything, creates a foundation of a false dichotomy. The heart of freedom is beyond a touchstone value, it is the absolute of natural law. Kennedy's statement following the false dichotomy is equal to 10 plus stars.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    He should be careful...that kind of talk could get you shot by a deranged lone gunman.
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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     -- Wayne, Naples      
    If Kennedy felt this way, then why was he the liberal trying to consolidate all power for DC.
     -- cal, lewisville, tx     
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    A lot of individuals feel much more free now that the state (existing for their benefit) has finally instituted health care reform. A freedom for which Roberts brother Teddy (as well as that other Teddy (Roosevelt) fought long and hard. Cal I don't think liberals try to consoldiate power to DC but try to make government work and benefit the individual just as he said here.
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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    The heart of western freedom is the belief that LIFE is the most valuable thing there is. All value exists in the labor an individual can contribute to society. With respect for the individual and what he can create a guidline emerges and the respect of the rights of the individual define this guideline and show us that the closer we stay to this line the better off we all are. Lose this belief and lose freedom.
     -- Anon     
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    Why is it that all the good men get assassinated while the bad one's die in their beds.... The rights of the individual are so important to protect that anyone waving it's banner will become targets of the NWO and corporate and government greed.
     -- Robert, Somewhere in Europe     
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    The state should exist for the benefit of the individual man but the state exists for the benefit of the state and the politicians therein.
     -- jim k, Austin     
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    Entrenched socialism, always wants to claim Freedom, while denying its source, Natural law, and our now, Republic under siege. Liberty in all its types, are the most valuable, to protect True Freedom of the Individual sovereign. Without Financial Liberty, Freedom is a falsehood !
     -- Ronw13, USA     
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    Freedom must not be used to create new "rights" that require the Govt. to tax others to obtain funding for these new rights. We have had universal healthcare for many years( see the sign at the entrance to your local hospital that says we will provide care regardless of your ability to pay! It is often carved in stone.) Bernie S says you have this right because you are a person but he means the right to free healthcare! People tend to abuse things that are free. What if your fellow citizens don't want to pay for this right!
     -- Anonymous, Nashville IN     
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    Waffler, when Mr. Obamunist Goodwrench the assassin and his minions implemented medical tyranny, NO! ! ! individuals felt more free. Simply, those that were stolen from (higher costs of care, taxes, medicines, etc. the working poor went without, etc.) for a vast minority to receive something falls under a category of slavery, not freedom.


     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    At the heart of it all is the independent socialized lady or gentleman. The independent individual with the independent creative provocative ideas that move us forward with dignity, grace, and decency. 
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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    Correction: At the heart of it all is the independent socialized lady or gentleman; the independent socialized individual with the creative provocative ideas that move us forward with dignity, grace, and decency. 


     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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    I am not a supporter of the former candidate Robert F. Kennedy for President. However, I believe his public murder was a travesty and miscarriage of true justice. He deserved a fair trial for which the conventional degenerated community does not appear to feel an obligated responsibility.  
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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    Additionally, the Presidents in general, especially the one that presently holding this office, have been what best describes the position and its imbalanced  formulation,  a service to those with advantages.  All of the US Presidents have been unbalanced in the mind with a biased favoritism to those with advantages.
         The US President should be an individual with an unbiased socially responsible secure healthy mentally balanced mind, therefore qualified to balance both our social as well as economic challenges.
     
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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    Correction: Additionally, the US Presidents in general, especially the individual presently holding this misrepresented office, have been what best describes this routine dubious practiced position and its resulting imbalancing formulation; a service to those with unfair advantages. 
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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    Correction continued: The President of the United States should be a qualified individual with an unbiased socially responsible secure mentally healthy balanced mind, therefore qualified to balance both the social, as well as economic challenges.  National debt: 37.5 trillion dollars. 
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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    Correction: I would not be a supporter of the former assassinated candidate Robert F. Kennedy for President, even if we were spared this horrific crime, considering the credentials he would bring to the office.  However, I believe his public murder was a travesty and miscarriage of true justice. He deserved a fair trial for which the conventional degenerated community does not appear to an obligated responsibility.   
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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    Correction#2: I would not be a supporter of the former assassinated candidate Robert F Kennedy for President, even if we were spared this horrific crime, considering the credentials he would bring to the office. However, I believe Mr Kennedy's public murder was a travesty and a miscarriage of justice. Robert F Kennedy deserved a fair public trial for which the conventional degenerated community does not appear to feel an obligated responsibility.   
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
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