“Freedom can exist only in the society of knowledge. Without learning, men are incapable of knowing their rights”

Precisely, it is why Republican’s keep us under their control by the dumbing of America – look who votes for them: The far right, the rich, red-necks, Christian fundamentalists, people that have agendas in the Middle East, the war machine, and greedy SOBs. We don’t want Americans educated otherwise they may learn to think for themselves and know their rights.

Great quote.... Robert...while I share your absolute concern over the dumbing down of America...I would challenge you to note just who says that everyone must get a diploma regardless of performance. Who is it that wants to require people to know how to read and to learn history and English. On the other hand...who is it that thinks that as long as people "feel good" about themselves, what they actually know doesn't matter much? Or who thinks we should be focusing on teaching 3 year olds masterbation? Incidentially, you will find that the great scientists have mostly been Christians...so you might want to learn YOUR history and education that taught that American and free enterprise were the bad guys. Good luck sir.

LOL Robert, by your response,you must be a product of the educational system you assail (The hypocrisy of such concept is deeper than hip-boots alone can wade through, especially knowing the political make up of 'teacher' associated organizations and university professors). Individuals are born inherently understanding certain rights sensorily; 'we hold these truths to be self-evident. "Knowledge is power" (Sir Francis Bacon) and because of the digreesion of knowledge of freedom and the general dumbing-down of America by socialist/fascists & Demorats/Republicans has been so successful, America can stand as the great exemplar of the quote.

Neither Democrats nor Republicans support educating the populace to be free, independent, and self-reliant. The US educational system is designed now to uniformly make more complacent slaves of consumerism and dedicated addicts to the propaganda. Most Americans do NOT know their rights, and even worse feel powerless about doing anything about it. The school system worked!

Very well said, E Archer, NYC

what might banjamin rush have considered the ideal "republican machine?" please help me... kindly, paula geeky1@chesapeake.net

what does this even suggest? what does it mean? sorry but i HATE history and Im doing a project and i dont get it :)

How many of our wonderful Christian forefathers bought & sold slaves? Always a must is the exposing of our select memory. But I do see redemption in the fact we elected a black man as President of the USA. Now if we can get to a place where 10% of the people don't control 86% of the wealth while pretending to pay a fair tax.

"Unless we put Medical Freedom into the Constitution, the time will come when medicine will organize into an undercover dictatorship . . . to restrict the art of healing to one class of men, and deny equal privilege to others, will be to constitute the Bastille of Medical Science.■ ~ Dr. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence

I HATEEEEEEEE DR. RUSH he is a quack who killed george washington

On the comment about our founding fathers bought and sold slaves. That was the way of life back then, how many of us do things just because it's the way of life for us, now. George Washington and many others, gave freedom to their servants, upon their death. What do each of you do, that is beneficial to our world? Don't keep knocking the past, unless you are doing something, yourself, to better it.

I'm one of the fundamentalist Christians, one commentor made. No, we do not have an agenda in the Middle East, other than making sure Israel doesn't have to give up their land to groups of terrorists. What country has ever had to give up their land, when they have fought and won it. This is absurd to think that Israel has to relinguish control of what's theirs. You, my friend, should be more educated, because you're comment is showing who you are. Republicans are saving America from becoming extinct as a country, most of us are living by Biblical principals, which our country was established on!!

Dr. Benjamin Rush was a noble human, who was totally focused on the "healing arts, and science's." I believe the good doctor's heart was in the right place. To practice the "golden rule," no mater what "religion" you are, would bring great peace, and healing, to our planet. At least Dr. Rush "practiced what he preached." You can't say that for most "religious people" today (no matter what religion you are)..

In some societies people with knowledge will lord it over people without knowledge. In some societies maybe aborignal ones every one is equally free. The quote sounds good at first but I think it breaks down given enough careful analysis. But yes knowledge is a good thing.

ARCHER....I chimed in where you asked me to on the Paul Laxalt quote concerning the IRS.

"Freedom is the absence of legislation" said the late Merrill Jenkins, Monetary Realist, inventor of the dollar bill changer and author of 7 books with the first being "Money", The Greatest Hoax On Earth. His last 6 books are free at: www.morpix.biz/x15 see also: www.morpix.biz/x17. Inquire about the "Hoax" at: hadagin@yahoo.com. Jenkins died in 1979. I knew him well and attended his twice monthly meetings. To see what others have said about him recently, google: "merrill jenkins" money with quote marks as shown.

Along with this, the thoughts of the Father of our modern education system: Daniel Noah Webster who said, "an education without the Bible is no education at all." The problem isn't our form of a democratic republic, it is the persistant lie that there is good in any of us. Republican/Democrat? Does it really matter? Samuel Clemons stated, "the problem with politics; when the people elect a liar, then only liars will run for public office." Very few people have honestly tried to study the intent of our framers, to understand what they understood, and why they worded our Declartion of Independence and Constitution the way they did. We owe it to ourselves and our prosperity to never leave off from searching the truth. The real truth, is what it is! It's so darn un arguable.