“Political tags–such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist,
fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth–are never basic criteria.
The human race divides politically into those who want people to be
controlled and those who have no such desire. The former are idealists
acting from highest motives for the greatest good of the greatest
number. The latter are surly curmudgeons, suspicious and lacking in
altruism. But they are more comfortable neighbors than the other sort.”
– Robert A. Heinlein
“Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties:
1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers
from them into the hands of the higher classes. 2. Those who identify
themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and
consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise
depositary of the public interests. In every country these two parties
exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write,
they will declare themselves. Call them, therefore, Liberals and
Serviles, Jacobins and Ultras, Whigs and Tories, Republicans and
Federalists, Aristocrats and Democrats, or by whatever name you please,
they are the same parties still and pursue the same object. The last one
of Aristocrats and Democrats is the true one expressing the essence of
all.”
– Thomas Jefferson (Letter to Henry Lee, 1824)
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