"A constitution is not the act of a government, but of a people constituting a government; and government without a constitution is power without a right. All power exercised over a nation, must have some beginning. It must be either delegated, or assumed. There are not other sources. All delegated power is trust, and all assumed power is usurpation. Time does not alter the nature and quality of either."
-- Thomas Paine
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Thomas.Paine.Quote.9D6F
Thomas Paine is far from my favorite person to quote, a Quaker who seemed to border on atheist. However, he had many thoughts which are very appropriate for expressing issues surrounding government, freedom and power.
As has been said else where, our form of government is only suitable for a moral and upright people what exercise self control (control from within). Should we lose these qualities, it will be necessary to control us, as a people, from without (hence the government).
As a final thought to reflect on today, consider the words of George Washington:
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."
-- George Washington
(1732-1799) Founding Father, 1st US President, 'Father of the Country'
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/George.Washington.Quote.5786
BE
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