The declaration that our People are hostile to a government made by themselves, for themselves, and conducted by themselves, is an insult.

John Quincy Adams (1767-1848)

Most political quotes will surely polarize the forum. Personally, I believe today's U.S. government is made by money, for money, and conducted by money. I wouldn't say I'm hostile toward it, but I'm definitely wary of it. It's because I'm not particularyly represented anymore. It's more like I'm managed and manipulated.

I second that! Also, given the evidence of Wall Street, the BP disaster in the Gulf, and the insurance crisis, the evidence is clear that we need some kind of regulation of campaign $$$ going to politicians. Only the truly ignorant or blind would say that the amount of money pouring into Washington does not affect policy or pose a direct threat to our country. I would like to see politicians responding to the "will of the voters" rather than the "will of the money-holders", as Mr. Adams so reverently defended.

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“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.” -- Chinese proverb

Thanks for giving us some context to this quote RuthP. I have always felt that it is our duty to look at the actions our elected officials take with clear eyes. Even when the elected official received my vote before taking office, no one gets a free pass to behave as they wish without consequences. It is not an “insult”; it is my obligation as a citizen. And the term "hostile" is very subjective.

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"He who never made a mistake never made a discovery." Samuel Smiles

It's amazing what an 11 year old president of the US was able to accomplish! I don't know where you got that quote RuthP but you got the wrong president, the quote is from John QUINCY Adams, not his father John Adams, who passed the Alien and Sedition Acts.

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“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.” -- Chinese proverb

I third that!

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I am carrying my heart~I am carrying my rhythm~I am carrying my prayers~But you can't kill my spirit~It's soaring and strong (Paula Cole's Me Lyrics)***We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We ARE spirtual beings having a human experience.(T.deChardin)***There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. (Albert Einstein)

That is a realistic approach. Also, an informed electorate is the guardian of democracy. That vigilance is not promoted by seeking only those opinions that mesh with one's own preconceived notions. If you aren't knowlegeable, any wily politician can lead you by the nose with lies.

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"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless, and do no wrong". (Knight's Oath, Kingdom of Heaven)

[quote=RuthP][quote]In 1798, President John Adams pushed throught Congress the Alien and Sedition Acts, which empowered Adams to suppress free speech and imprison without trial any critic of the federal government. When the citizens of Westmoreland County, Virginia petitioned Adams in 1798 complaining of the acts, President Adams responded by denouncing the citizents: “The declaration that Our People are hostile to a government made by themselves, for themselves, and conducted by themselves, is an insult.” Adam’s (sic) response to the people of Westmoreland County – few of whom had voted for Adams – was the classic trick of a would-be democratic tyrant: declaiming to people that they were obliged to submit to opression because the chief executive had been duly elected by other voters.

quote]

Excellent quote. And it sounds EXACTLY like the rhetoric of our present President.

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"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program." - Ronald Reagan

Sorry, I cannot recall President Obama saying he should have the power to lock-up U.S. citizens for saying nasty things about the government.

He is continuing the President Bush's arguments about holding suspected terrorists (including U.S. citizens!) without proper Miranda information. Is that what you meant?

Sorry Maggie, I still cannot see it.

The article in the link regards the stimulus spending. It states President Obama both spoke with Republicans at the White House and came to the Hill to speak with them. Senator McCain says that the President did not sit down in a room with senators from both parties and facilitate the negotiations. Even had he done nothing, negotiation remains the job of the members of Congress.

This article covers lawmaking by Congress about spending, which is the proper purview of Congress. Much as I dislike the stimulus bill, Congress followed its own procedures. The fact that Congress passed laws which do not please either of us does not mean the laws were illegally imposed upon us, nor does President Obama carry the blame for this.

The President has not asked for power to silence the general citizenry without congressional or judicial restraint. The point of President Adams with the Alien and Sedition act was that the President could lock-up those who spoke against his decisions or policies.

I do find similarities, not exact congruence, between the Alien and Sedition Act and policies regarding those incarcerated at Guantanamo and, possibly, individuals similarly charged in the future. I absolutely believe those provisions are unconstitutional and thus unlawful.

The policies were initially implemented by President Bush's administration, and in that, President Bush was wrong. President Obama is attempting to continue some of these policies, and in this, President Obama is wrong. It is no more right to silence or deny rights to an unpopular minority than to the general citizenry.

Hupomone wrote:
Most political quotes will surely polarize the forum. Personally, I believe today's U.S. government is made by money, for money, and conducted by money. I wouldn't say I'm hostile toward it, but I'm definitely wary of it. It's because I'm not particularyly represented anymore. It's more like I'm managed and manipulated.


I second that! Also, given the evidence of Wall Street, the BP disaster in the Gulf, and the insurance crisis, the evidence is clear that we need some kind of regulation of campaign $$$ going to politicians. Only the truly ignorant or blind would say that the amount of money pouring into Washington does not affect policy or pose a direct threat to our country. I would like to see politicians responding to the "will of the voters" rather than the "will of the money-holders", as Mr. Adams so reverently defended.

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“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.” -- Chinese proverb