“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God cannot retain it.â€
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States.
Tag Archives: Freedom
James Madison: Liberty Requires Virtue
“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.â€
James Madison, Fourth President of the United States and “Father of the Constitutionâ€
PS: “chimerical†= wildly fanciful; highly unrealistic
William Boetcker: No Help through Destruction
The following “Ten Cannots†are often misattributed to Abraham Lincoln.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. - You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
- You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
- You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
- You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
- You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
- You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
- You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
- You cannot build character and courage by destroying men’s initiative and independence.
- And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.
William John Henry Boetcker (1873–1962), American religious leader and influential public speaker. From a pamphlet entitled The Ten Cannots. Originally published in 1916.
The National Debt Road Trip
Debt beyond one’s ability to pay is a mechanism of slavery and oppression, not freedom. The huge US national debt, particularly that held by foreign powers, represents a surrender of national freedom and sovereignty to those who hold that debt. The rate at which the US national debt is increasing has gone beyond alarming. This little video provides a new way to look at that extraordinary rate of increase.
Jack Miller Center: Teaching Founding Principles
I stumbled across the website for the Jack Miller Center on Thanksgiving day. I am impressed with the Center’s statement of objectives:
The Jack Miller Center for Teaching America’s Founding Principles and History, a nonprofit, nonsectarian, nonpartisan, educational organization, works with educators in response to requests for resources to strengthen the teaching of America’s founding principles and history. …
The goal of the Miller Center is to ensure that students receive the best possible education and are prepared to be good stewards of our nation’s freedoms and the free institutions that protect all Americans’ liberties.
I am convinced that to the extent our children really understand the founding principles of our great country, they will be valiant champions of liberty.
John Taylor: The Genius of our Constitution
“A great destiny lies before the United States. The question is, is she competent for the task? She has out ridden the fiery test of revolution, hurled defiance at a despot’s power, and grasped the sceptre of liberty with a nervous, powerful grip. She has, out of the chaotic, confused mass of material associated with corrupt governments, organized a system of government and framed a constitution that while it is honorable to its founders, guarantees to all to the fullest extent, "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite." … Liberty here is more than a name. Here man is free to speak, free to think, free to write, free to act, free to do good. The very genius of our Constitution and institutions is freedom.â€
John Taylor, Third President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Mormon, Oct 6, 1855, 1:33; quoted in The Gospel Kingdom, p.312.
John Quincy Adams: Make Good Use of Freedom
"Posterity — you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."
John Quincy Adams, Sixth President of the United States
Del.icio.us Tags: Freedom
Milton Friedman – Morality & Capitalism
This short video includes a thought-provoking discussion between Milton Friedman and a student who challenges Mr. Friedman about the morality of capitalism.
It is an enlightening treatment of the inevitable consequences of choice, whether or not government attempts to intervene in a free market economy.
Happy Veteran’s Day!
It’s after 11pm in my San Francisco hotel room, where I arrived after a successful meeting in New York City, a transcontinental flight and late dinner. But I can’t go to sleep without sharing a wonderful video pointed out to me by Twitter acquaintance Mame Hampton (@momthebom).
Thanks to all the wonderful soldiers and veterans who have done so much and are continuing to serve so well to keep us free!
And thank you, Mame, for sharing this wonderful message with us.
Hope for Freedom in Iran
A beautiful hand-made Iranian metal platter hangs on the wall of our home, an inheritance from my deceased grandparents, who lived and worked in Iran as agricultural advisors in the mid 1950’s. The platter is a treasured reminder of their love for the Iranian people and their hope that these good people would someday live in a free society.
In harmony with their dream, I was inspired today by what I read on the Glossology Twitter feed.
A few Glossology tweets:
The servants of fear & darkness do everything they can to stop you because they know freedom & democracy will wash them away.
IRAN you will lead the way for many other countries to become free. Your courage to be free will give them courage to be free.
IRAN, it is your destiny to become a world leader in democracy. Your country will be a shining beacon of freedom someday.
Iran, when I look into the future I see your children growing up happy and free.
When I look into the future I see Iran becoming a free country & a world leader in modern technology, new medicine & culture.
The cry for freedom is not limited to people in the United States. It is a universal voice from within the soul, pleading to be unleashed from the bonds of slavery and oppression.
We join our hopes and prayers for you, our Iranian brothers and sisters!