I agree with anonymous. It's not a quote. I worry about decriminalization though. We pay to fund the prisons now, but if that same population is out free to live their life stoned, we'll still be supporting them--and their habit--with welfare dollars. I don't particularly want to end up paying for their drugs.

This may have been a factual truth for a physical civil assault case in court in 1862, and it stands as a basic guideline on self-control. However, in this world today it is a gross oversimplification that is completely untrue, as even children playing in the schoolyard know full well by about the age of 6. Slander, hate speech, and rampant bullying on social media destroys lives, certainly psychologically, sometimes financially, but also in tragic cases causing our children to be literally bullied to death. I guess it all depends on your definition of the word "hurt."

Mike, I like both the original quote and yours but would challenge your initial statement. You absolutely can create and control another's emotions if that person is psychologically vulnerable or immature. That you choose not to use that capability is a testament to your character.

I think we're there.

I agree. I've never heard our current situation described better.

Even if the public agrees to spending like drunken sailors (apology to sailors) with money we do not have, we will not succeed in spending our way out of debt.

What I find especially disturbing is how many people are not only willing to let this be done to them but actually invite the government in to do it.

Oh please, Hanson. Liberals believe in freedom? Then why do they make every attempt to control every aspect of our lives-- from where we live to what we drive, what we eat, how, where, when, and indeed IF we are allowed to pray, and what we use to defend ourselves in our own homes? Speaking personally, I've never enslaved and certainly never had any desire whatsoever to rape anyone. The quote is a 5. Your comment is a 0.

Absolutely true Ken. I was putting the cart before the horse. Unfortunately, it would appear the majority is there already, certainly in our state.

Mike, I think what you describe as religious fervor perfectly describes the global warming/climate control green agenda being used to control everything from what cars we buy all the way down to what lightbulbs (produced in China of course) we are allowed to use. We are throwing our tax dollars at it. We don't have one religious genius pushing it but millions, and if you don't agree, you are vilified for your selfishness and insulted as a "flat-earther."

All those means are being used today to control, but the goal is moral destruction. We must all be in lock step with the progressive social values--or lack thereof--or be vilified for our beliefs.

The only thing that surprises me about this is the date it was said. I had actually believed the press was at one time honestly reporting the news rather than manipulating it. Apparently not. It also doesn't matter to me who this man was. Adolph Hitler and Karl Marx have both made intelligent, accurate statements in their lifetimes in spite of the monsters they were. That doesn't make it their statements any less true. To agree with a single thought someone has doesn't mean you support their agenda. It means you have an open mind.

Amazing quote! Unfortunately, in practically every aspect of our lives we tend to be dazzled by that one moment or talent that is brilliant and pretend the general incompetence everywhere else doesn't exist.....and then suffer the consequences emotionally and financially later.

Anyone out there who can look at our country today and claim we are not at the very least on the path to socialism, if not already there, is blind, deaf, and dumb.....or a member of the press.. The propaganda minister would have been proud.

Absolutely true....and that pet formula nearly always involves appropriating the fruits of someone else's labors.

I agree Howard. This is about citizen control and our right to defend ourselves against a government out of control. Our abiity to defend ourselves against criminals-which is why I own mine--isn't even a factor or the government would be deregulating gun ownership. There is a whole sector of society, and this gent is apparently part of it, who cannot look at an issue without seeing it in black and white, Not EVERYTHING is about race!

One of the truest things I've heard in years and because virtually everyone has their own personal agenda.

Unfortunately, these days you should add to this quote as follows: "....and not be called a racist, an idiot, or a nazi for doing so."

I totally agree with Mike also and Diana especially, and to "anonymous" I would say that if under that principle that I owe society, why do so many others not owe at all and are permitted to not pay a dime for what I'm supposed to hand over my dollars to support? I know there are those who CANNOT support themselves and need help, but I refuse to support those who CHOOSE NOT to support themselves.

I don't think this is a bad quote, but taken piece by piece, the dems are running as fast as they can in the other direction. First obey the law.....what about they illegals they are protecting from prosecution and providing services for. Second, go to work or be in school....what about all the welfare handouts, food stamps, and medical care to people who can work but would rather sit and collect. Third.....you've got to pay your taxes.......look at the percentage at this point of people who pay no taxes at all....who are usually the recipients of the services listed above. Last, you've got to serve your community.......as in (gasp) churches who regularly help others? Lots of us Christians do this but are vilified anyway. My problem is, he said this, but I don't think he believes it, and Obama certainly doesn't.

E Archer--I am not aware of very many laws being stringently executed today. Seems there's always a loophole for some excuse or some group of people or anyone well connected enough. Can you give me an example? I agree our representatives get in there and don't listen to us, and that's why we shoudn't re-elect them.

I absolutely agree with this "you wanted it, you got it" approach. It would set the stage to eliminate bad law entirely by shocking the asleep electorate into action. Jury nullification may work in individual instances on a case-by-case basis, but the bad law remains in place. Better to repeal entirely, and then maybe our senators and representatives would actually read laws before they pass them.

A perfect example of the law of unintended consequences. I think it's interesting that in the comments this quote garnered either a 0 or a 5 but that every comment itself is pretty much in agreement. I'm assuming the 5 stars simply refer to the fact that here is proof in writing that our fears are well founded about this current administration and the direction our country is headed. I'm sure there are others out there who'd give it five stars because they would actually agree with the philosophy, as long as the source was unknown. It would indeed be interesting to put the quote out there on, for example, MSNBC, without the source and see where the comments went then.