“When I contemplate the natural dignity of man; when I feel ... for the honor and happiness of its character, I become irritated at the attempt to govern mankind by force and fraud, as if they were all knaves and fools, and can scarcely avoid disgust at those who are thus imposed upon.”

Well said Mr. Paine, well said.

brilliant and so apt

Was he referring to what happened in the Gore/Bush debacle?

Perfectly sums up my feeling for our current arrogant, overbearing government: they think we are drooling idiots who don't have the ability to live our own lives. They must act as the parent to the idiot child, and of course they must do so by any means necessary. If that means lying, cheating, stealing, or I'm sure eventually even killing us for our own good, then that will be just fine with that; because in the end it is not about their caring for the idiot children, it is about the power and wealth they can gather to themselves.

Force and fraud,continued by Lincoln and still going strong. It's a shame that many still believe that the "Civil War" was about slavery.Read "Lincoln Unmasked" or "The Real Lincoln" for the lowdown on "Honest Abe".

Ken,Allyn, you have it right.

The idea that society somehow NEEDS government is as common in America today as it is incorrect. Government can only hinder a free society.

You hit it right on the head Jim K.

Yes, for once I agree. Lincoln should have left the South alone... A perfect reflection of the Bush/Obama era.

To govern men by force and fraud, sounds like our current administration . To understand the natural dignity one would understand natural affection. Sound doctrine brings sound words of wisdom. The rock upon which the republic rest.

Waffler, Let it go. America has lost the last six presidential elections.

Brilliant! My sentiments exactly!