“History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy… These measures never fail to create great and violent jealousies and animosities between the people favored and the people oppressed; whence a total separation of affections, interests, political obligations, and all manner of connections, by which the whole state is weakened.”

Our DC employees certainly consider themselves "more equal than others" dispensing privileges. We have to obey Obamacare, and they don't. Yes, I have animosity toward them.

Democracy describes the subject matter's realization of but one instance of the ruin of states. The political correctness / application of the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land is another instance of the ruin of a state as outlined by Mr. Franklin. Socialism (communism to fascism), another example that describes an instance of the ruin of states. ETC., ETC., ETC.

The greatest error in the making of laws is exceeding the chartered jurisdiction. Legislators do not write Common Law -- they are chartered with writing statutes that only apply to the members of that jurisdiction. Remember that most 'laws' only apply to inter-state commerce -- the problem is that 'persons' are treated as commercial entities subject to the commercial law. The common man's labors and property are his own and not subject to inter-state commerce regulations.

Unfortunately, under FDR's reign, inter-state commerce was redefined as any commerce within a state that could potentially affect inter-state commerce -- so, all commerce. That's when the federal government then took control of all commerce and trade. Farmers were told what they could and could not grow -- they were even paid sometimes not to grow anything. A backyard garden was then subject to federal control. Private manufacturing and industry was also laid claim to by government regulators and tax men. How many people today realize that the USA has a fascist national government?