“Beware the greedy hand of government, thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry.”

oops, How did we implement what Marx had for us and forget what Paine warned us about? hmmm

And beware the American people who let it happen.

Obama is doing exactly this right now, with the aid of the Pelosi - Reed gang.

"Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it ...... good and hard." H. L. Mencken. We have no one to blame but ourselves. The government has been more than happy to supply the metal we needed to forge our own chains.

Well folks, we must remember that the stimulus money that the government will "give" us is money that they have either already taken from us or money that they will take from us.... of course ,after extracting a "substantial handling fee"

Little did Paine know that the Govt and Industry (at least its captains) would be in cahoots.

I think it is fair to say that both mainstream parties cannot be trusted with an unlimited credit line from the Fed. Our Constitution is effectively null and void -- there is no way to get the courts to force Congress and the President to act within the bounds set forth in the Constitution. When the bankers took over our government, we became permanent indentured servants on our own land. The 'Commerce Clause' has been stretched way beyond its intended purpose.

Paine, like Jefferson, knew of man's fragile nature. Therefore, they counted on the leaders in the Government of this country to be so inspiring - just inspiring - as to draw virtues of honesty and fairness from the leaders of industry so that an environment would be built and/or kept for everyone to pursue happiness.

I feel a revolution is started already. Right now it is legal. People are waking up in America and starting to fight back. I fear it might get physical. Remember what happened to Britain. The revolution started small and then got physical fast and that how "We the People" won our independence. It may happen again and if it does it needs to.

I think it's great to be wary of government, but I think the Tea Party movement needs to learn how to read. Thomas Paine hated Christianity and religion as much, if not more than government. He looked at government as a "necessary evil" not something that couldn't exist. How does the far right get to talk about freedom when they want to oppress: immigrants (way to go King George III), gay rights, women rights, I mean, to support freedom and quote Thomas Paine, but not be open to people's rights is stupid. Perhaps the banks could be thought of as tyrannical? Thomas Paine's logic applies here.

Hagbard, some of what you say about the right is correct (in reality, it is worse than that). Now, just add to it the left's malignant tyranny. Welcome to the Amerika Paine spoke of. The current economy is a direct illuminating proof of Paine's here statement.

"Government is a disease masquerading as it's own cure". L. Neal Smith.

Love it!!

Oh how true this is, every day it gets worse!

When one considers that there are 22 different taxes imposed on a loaf of bread sold in Illlinois it points up how truly insidious the government is....and not just the Federal Government.

Such a varied history from a God fearing man. Pushing for Rebellion v reconciliation. Believing in individual empowerment and personal property, attacking John Locke's promotion of a " mixed state." " In England a king hath little more to do than to make war and give away places; which in plain terms, is to impoverish the nation and set it together by the ears.A pretty business indeed for a man to be allowed eight hundred thousand sterling a year for, and worshiped into the bargain ! Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived." Thomas Paine, " Common Sense " What is it that Gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? forbid it, Almighty God ! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me Liberty or give me death !

Ridiculous quote. Government is a tool, it has no hands. It is a tool used by hands, it could be in the hands of a free people, or in the hands of the rich enslaving the people with it. How government is ruled is similar to how we are all are, with money and debt. The money system we have is what needs to change; from a private system issuing money as debt, to a public system issuing money as an asset share in the nation's equity. The "anti-government" sentiment is constantly being repeated to keep people from realizing someone has stolen this vital tool for their liberation. I much prefer this Tom Paine quote; "We have it within our power to begin the world over again." It is the big business banking industry that has its hands in every corner of industry. It is the Great Banking Combine that Alfred Crozier wrote about in U.S. Money vs Corporation Currency.