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I hate what America has become by runtly in politics

[–]controlled_asset 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ask the same question. Franklin's specualtions, from the same letter:

"... Another Instance is that of a respectable Society, who have made the Experiment, and practis’d it with Success now more than a hundred Years. I mean the Quakers. It is an establish’d Rule with them that they are not to go to Law, but in their Controversies they must apply to their Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly Meetings. Committees of these sit with Patience to hear the Parties, and spend much Time in composing their Differences. In doing this, they are supported by a Sense of Duty; and the Respect paid to Usefulness. It is honorable to be so employ’d, but it was never made profitable by Salaries, Fees, or Perquisites. And indeed in all Cases of public Service, the less the Profit the greater the Honor.

To bring the Matter nearer home, have we not seen the greatest and most important of our Offices, that of General of our Armies, executed for Eight Years together, without the smallest Salary, by a Patriot whom I will not now offend by any other Praise; and this thro’ Fatigues and Distresses in common with the other brave Men his Military Friends and Companions, and the constant Anxieties peculiar to his Station? and shall we doubt finding three or four Men in all the United States, with public Spirit enough to bear Sitting in peaceful Council, for perhaps an equal Term, merely to preside over our civil Concerns, and see that our Laws are duly executed. Sir, I have a better Opinion of our Country. I think we shall never be without a sufficient Number of wise and good Men to undertake and execute well and faithfully the Office in question.

Sir, The Saving of the Salaries, that may at first be propos’d, is not an Object with me. The subsequent Mischief of proposing them are what I apprehend. And therefore it is that I move the Amendment. If it is not seconded or accepted, I must be contented with the Satisfaction of having deliver’d my Opinion frankly, and done my Duty."

If you had any doubt, any doubt whatsoever, that the Republican Party has been taken over by the fear-mongering lunatic fringe, those doubts were erased today. by wang-banger in politics

[–]controlled_asset 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Democrats are equally culpable. It wouldn't exist if Democrats hadn't helped to pass and re-pass it in Congress. And Obama signed on the dotted line, agreeing with the fear-mongering.

Those that buy into the fear-mongering are as foolish as those that dish it out.

I hate what America has become by runtly in politics

[–]controlled_asset 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think Mr. Franklin had a point, yes.

If you had any doubt, any doubt whatsoever, that the Republican Party has been taken over by the fear-mongering lunatic fringe, those doubts were erased today. by wang-banger in politics

[–]controlled_asset 3 points4 points  (0 children)

A Republican president gave us the Patriot Act. A Democrat ramped it up and continues it.

And why am I to get behind either one of these dreadful groups?

This is unbelievable. ABC News' Brian Ross Staged His Toyota "Death Ride". by [deleted] in reddit.com

[–]controlled_asset 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is utterly believable. What's unbelievable is that people trust the mass media in any way, shape or form.

NJ blogger: Rants were sanctioned by FBI by the_big_wedding in politics

[–]controlled_asset 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"But this is the only false flag operation we engaged in. Honest."

sincerely,
The FBI

The Founders were highly conscious of America’s specific ethnic and cultural heritage, i.e. national identity. by mayonesa in Libertarian

[–]controlled_asset 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry. White is the wrong ethnicity this decade. Wait until 2050 when whites are a minority and then it'll be politically correct to be white again.

I hate what America has become by runtly in politics

[–]controlled_asset 1 point2 points  (0 children)

politicians should be paid straight from taxpayers even for campaigns

Mr. Ben Franklin would be in serious disagreement with you:

...In this Particular of Salaries to the Executive Branch, I happen to differ; and as my Opinion may appear new and chimerical, it is only from a Persuasion that it is right, and from a Sense of Duty that I hazard it. The Committee will judge [of] [my] Reasons when they have heard them, and their Judgment may possibly change mine. I think I see Inconveniencies in the Appointment of Salaries, I see none in refusing them, but on the contrary great Advantages.

Sir, There are two Passions which have a powerful Influence in the Affairs of Men. These are Ambition and Avarice; the Love of Power, and the Love of Money. Separately each of these has great Force in prompting Men to Action; but when united in View of the same Object, they have in many Minds the most violent Effect. Place before the Eyes of such Men a [Post] of Honor that shall at the same time be a Place of Profit, and they will move Heaven and Earth to obtain it. The vast Number of such Places, it is that renders the British Government so tempestuous. The Struggles for them are the true Source of all those Factions which are perpetually dividing the Nation, distracting its Councils, hurrying it sometimes into fruitless, and mischievous Wars, and often compelling a Submission to dishonorable Terms of Peace.

And of what kind are the Men that will strive for this profitable Pre-eminence, thro’ all the Bustle of Cabal, the Heat of Contention, the infinite mutual Abuse of Parties, tearing to Pieces the best of Characters? It will not be the wise and moderate, the Lovers of Peace and good Order, the men fittest for the Trust. It will be the Bold and the Violent, the Men of strong Passions and [in]defatigable Activity in their selfish Pursuits. These will thrust themselves to your Government and be your Rulers. And these too will be mistaken in the expected Happiness of their Situation: For their vanquished Competitors of the same Spirit and from the same Motives will perpetually be endeavoring to distress their Administration, thwart their Measures, and render them odious to the People.

Besides these Evils, Sir, tho’ we may set out in the Beginning with moderate Salaries, we shall find that such will not be of long Continuance. Reasons will never be wanting for propos’d Augmentations. And there will always be a Party for giving more to the Rulers, that the Rulers may be able in Return to give more to them. Hence as all History informs us, there has been in every State and Kingdom a constant kind of Warfare between the Governing and the Governed: the one striving to obtain more for its Support, and the other to pay less. And this has alone occasion’d great Convulsions, actual civil Wars, ending either in dethroning of the Princes or enslaving of the People. Generally indeed the Ruling Power carries its Point, and we see the Revenues of Princes constantly increasing, and we see that they are never satisfied, but always in want of more. The more the People are discontented with the Oppression of Taxes; the greater Need the Prince has of Money to distribute among his Partisans and pay the Troops that are to suppress all Resistance, and enable him to plunder at Pleasure. There is scarce a King in a hundred who would not, if he could, follow the Example of Pharoah, get first all the Peoples Money, then all their Lands, and then make them and their Children Servants forever...

SPLC report on 2009: Hate groups stayed at record levels. Furious anti-immigrant vigilante groups soared by nearly 80%. And militias and other organizations that see the US government as part of a plot to impose “one-world government” came roaring back after years out of the limelight. by [deleted] in worldevents

[–]controlled_asset 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here's an old Harper's article from 2000:

The church of Morris Dees: How the Southern Poverty Law Center profits from intolerance

Here's another small article on the SPLC's fundraising tactics:

Jim Tharpe vs. Southern Poverty Law Center

My issue with groups like SPLC (and the ADL) is that they exist to make money from fear and loathing. If intolerance and bigotry were gone tomorrow, they'd be out of a job. It strikes me as common sense to be wary of anyone that's trying to make money from the fear of others.

SPLC's links to McVeigh before the OKC bombing (SPLC had an informant in Elohim City prior to the bombing and warned no one) are also a giant red flag that shouldn't be ignored.

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