Robert F. Kennedy Quote

"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
Rating:
Categories:	Civil Rights, Civilization, Democracy, Equality, Freedom, Government, Individual Rights, Liberty, Society
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-- Anonymous
How different things could have been ~~~~  -- dragonswizardz      1
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      3
He should be careful...that kind of talk could get you shot by a deranged lone gunman.  -- J Carlton, Calgary
-- Wayne, Naples
If Kennedy felt this way, then why was he the liberal trying to consolidate all power for DC.  -- cal, lewisville, tx      1
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      1 4
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      2 2
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      1
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      1
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      1
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      1
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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