Founder's Quote Daily

speech to Congress via The Patriot Post ^ | 9 April 1789 | James Madison

[the invisib1e hand]

"[C]ommercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive and impolitic. ...[I]f industry and labour are left to take their own course, they will generally be directed to those objects which are the most productive, and this in a more certain and direct manner than the wisdom of the most enlightened legislature could point out."

--James Madison, speech to Congress, 9 April 1789

[the invisib1e hand]

This is a Patriot Caucus thread.

[the invisib1e hand]

!

[Loud Mime]

still on jury duty - bump!

[Bigun]

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

William J. H. Boetcker, 1916 (often attributed to Lincoln)

Not a founder but appropriate for the current political climate never-the-less.

[Bigun]

“It is the highest impertinence and presumption, therefore, in kings and ministers to pretend to watch over the economy of private people, and to restrain their expense. …They are themselves always, and without any exception, the greatest spendthrifts in society. Let them look well after their own expense, and they may safely trust private people with theirs."

Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations [1776]

[Leg Olam]

Hurrah for Madison! Would that we still had such men in government.

[the invisib1e hand]

Appropos, both post and tagline. Re: your #5, there's this from my favorite blog.

[Bigun]

Thank you!

I can see why that is your favorite blog! It is right on!