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AdamSmith

'The disease of tyrants'

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Posted

The founding fathers, having participated in the struggle against arbitrary power, comprehended some eternal truths respecting men and government. They knew that those who are entrusted with power are susceptible to the disease of tyrants, which George Washington rightly described as "love of power and the proneness to abuse it." For that reason, they realized that the power of public officers should be defined by laws which they, as well as the people, are obligated to obey; a truth enunciated by Daniel Webster when he said that "whatever government is not a government of laws is a despotism, let it be called what it may."

Sen. Sam Ervin

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Posted

I would like to know more about exactly why GW refused more than 2 terms as Prez. I know the "story" that he did not wish the US to be like a monarchy or dictatorship with a Prez "for life" but there had to be more to it than that, didn't there?

Over the years, our populace has decided that there is more to officialdom than being elected and more to resigning than simply signing a piece of paper or being not re-elected. Assignation is what I have in mind. Not a good way to further democracy but still a part of our history.

The only interim solution is impeachment and conviction. Do we need more of that?

Best regards

RA1

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