H. L. Mencken Quote

"The most dangerous man, to any government, is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost invariably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane and intolerable, and so, if he is romantic, he tries to change it. And if he is not romantic personally, he is apt to spread discontent among those who are."

by:	H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) American Journalist, Editor, Essayist, Linguist, Lexicographer, and Critic
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Categories:	Independence, Free Thought, Government, Dishonor, Sanity, Tolerance, Contention, Reason
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Dishonest , insane and intolerable pretty well sums up the current mess we have in Washington and it probably won't get any better after November regardless of who is elected.  -- jim k, Austin, Tx      4
H.L. is always the cynic and almost always right.  -- jim k, Austin, Tx      7
(-; I like it a lot ;-) Depending on the nature or scope of the term romantic - ABSOLUTELY.  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
This is the government's current definition of a terrorist. ;-) American independence and the right to stand up against tyranny has flown the coop.  -- E Archer, NYC      4
FDR declared this kind of person an "enemy of the state".  -- cal, Lewisville, TX      2
Thoughtful commentary on our current situation by someone from years back. Something's change,... And Ed the right to stand up against the current Tyranny is alive and well at Nationallibertyalliance.org  -- Jim Bee, Middleburgh
-- Mary, MI
-- Ronw13
Hard to go wrong with Mencken.  Though gone over half a century, we're seeing now just how dumbed down the public indoctrination education system has succeeded in making vast swaths of our population.  It was absolutely no accident and he states the reason clearly.  -- empty pockets, NOLa      2
Oh how painfully true this is. My own sheriff told me years ago I had, by writing pro-second amendment letters to the editor, trying to educate those on the consequences of disarming citizens, congress, governors....I was on the FBI's list as an enemy of the state...if you dare go against those who are intent on the destruction of our liberty, our Constitution, our very America...you become their enemy.  -- Denise, Durango      1
Mr Mencken's quote is interesting but nonetheless uncoordinated.  Taking the role most dangerous to the government is not going to be effective for change.  Our creative individual must actually be a governmental promoter and assume the leadership role accepting responsibility and blame for the present circumstances.  But Mr. Mencken is absolutely correct in that our hero should remain the ever swashbuckling romantic.   -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown      1

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