“Individual rights must take a back-seat to the collective.”

While I am grateful to know what kind of thinking shapes the left, I would hardly call this a "liberty" quote.

Mr. Rubin does not sound like someone I would have a lot in common with. I believe the rights of the individual, as guaranteed by the Constitution, are the foundation of the rights for all. The only collective issue I see is the right of the individual to expect the federal government to protect this great country and its law abiding citizens....oops, there's those individual rights again...

WTF?

Vote Ron Paul

Another so-called American that does not understand that individual liberty is what made American great.

Typical leftist crap.

Agenda 21 and the UN = Communism. Those of us who guard our liberties need to be aware of these idiots.

Very similar to quotes one would find by Hitler.

His last name is Ruvin. Besides his position with ICLEI, he is the Clerk of Court of Miami-Dade County. He is responsible for the creation of Department of Environmental Resources (DERM), which operates solely on fines. The "eight-and-a-half square mile area" has been terrorized by this rogue agency. Property that has been in agricultural use since the '60s get cease and desist orders that they are operating on wetlands (even though their deed doesn't say that), when the people go to court, guess what? They get a judge that is pro-Agenda 21. Court costs and fines break these people and their property is seized - to be returned to nature. Learn about Agenda 21 WHICH IS CALLED SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, SMART GROWTH at www.agenda21today; www.freedomadvocates.org; www.democratsagainstunagenda21.com - IT MUST BE EXPOSED - AGENDA 21=COMMUNISM

This quote has Carl Marx written all over it.

He only thinks this as long as his rights are not those that have to take a back seat! Once a progressive gets their rights stepped on they scream bloody murder.

Now here we see the mindset of the left communists, and they are moving foward fast. Fear, people, is NOT an option. Education, at this point, is critical, and we must move fast. Heather said it, they can't fight. Godspeed.

HOW LONG PEOPLE?? HOW LONG??

Anonymous, Fort Walton Beach, FL nailed this. UN Agenda 21 is a Treaty that is a Non-Treaty signed by Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barrack Obama. It is now implemented nationwide through all state and local planning and EPA depts. Bottom line is to bring America into a Euro socialist state and remove all private property rights and it is like a cancer spreading like wildfire. ICLEI is the dangerous arm implementing behind the scenes. Anonymous lists www.freedomadvocates.org which has a wealth of info which you can download and an excellent brochure you can read on line or buy for $4.00. Every American must read and be aware of this. www.colonialpublishingco.com

Collectivism is the road to totalitarianism. Individualism is the way of Liberty.

great comments

When he was asked how he can possibly reconcile his beliefs with the US Constitution's protection of individual rights he responded that the 'individual's rights would have to take a backseat to the collective.' This is Communitarianism. A great book that is fast easy reading on UN Agenda 21 and all of this stuff is BEHIND THE GREEN MASK: UN Agenda 21. Rosa Koire is the author. Terrific book and she has excellent videos too--webstie is Democrats Against UN Agenda 21.com By the way, Harvey Ruvin has an extensive bio on his website and the clerk of the court website and doesn't mention ICLEI once.

This oft quoted line is taken out of context in a way that changes it's meaning diametrically. What I actually said in 2002 was: "Science is telling us that the environmental support system that all life depends on, is breaking down. The good news is that we can reverse this by using unobtrusive best practices of land, water and energy conservation
Over time. The bad news is that if we remain in denial and the environment worsens, then in that event the solutions will become more draconi and
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS MAY HAVE TO TAKE A BACK SEAT TO THE COLLECTIVE needs of the planet."

Interesting postulation Harvey...however it does seem a rather lofty, vague and open ended statement doesn't it? I'm curious though...while I most certainly agree with enforcing responsible stewardship of our land, water and resources....Who is this "collective" going to be administered by? And what will be their mission? Certainly you can't be endorsing the same government bodies that are presently in bed with corporations can you? The ones who are allowing and in fact participating in burning the Amazon Rain Forests (climate control center of the planet) or using the waterways and oceans as garbage dumps for industrial waste (as allowed by law?) and selectively singling out certain industries for special scrutiny under the guise of "Saving the Planet" all the while doing it for profit (carbon tax)? The same government / industry partnership that is moving their production to China where there are no environmental controls and billing us for "Carbon Credits" to do so...thereby stripping us of the means of self sustaining production and gaining ever more "control" over our existence at every level? Is that who will administer this "collective" Harvey? If so, you can keep it. These people can not now nor ever be trusted so you must (obviously) have a different solution...right?

As opposed to handing our means of production to a communist nation on the other side of the planet....
“Not only the wealth; but the independence and security of a Country, appear to be materially connected with the prosperity of manufactures. Every nation, with a view to those great objects, ought to endeavour to possess within itself all the essentials of national supply. These comprise the means of Subsistence habitation clothing and defence.” –Alexander Hamilton’s “Report on Manufactures,” 1791

Harvey, thanks for setting the record straight. But even the full quote does not change the context. "Science is telling us that the environmental support system that all life depends on, is breaking down." Hmm, I have never heard Science tell me anything. I think you mean someone is claiming to use 'Science' to back up the policies being imposed upon, well, 'the world' in the name of the 'collective needs of the planet' (which I assume has been determined by 'Science'?).

Here's a scientific law for you: entropy. And yes everything is breaking down -- that is a process of life! I am all for the reduction of pollution and protection of the green spaces that are the engine of oxygen and water on the planet. I am against, however, the distortion of some theories that turn carbon dioxide into pollution and the taxation of all those that produce carbon dioxide -- a 'collective need of the planet' I might add! Too often these UN programs are designed not to protect the environment but to generate revenue for world government. I don't want the world 'governed' -- no one can be trusted with that. In the words of George Carlin, "The planet is fine. It has been through a lot worse things than us. The planet isn't going anywhere. WE are!" ;-)

Here's an utterly insane Marxist Mental Amoeba for you! 👹 👹