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Quote by Russ Roberts

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Russ Roberts
Russ Roberts

Russ Roberts is an accomplished economist, born in September 1954. He has extensive research and teaching experience in economics, particularly known for his historical approach to economic issues. more

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“In regard to the so-called social contract, I have often had occasion to protest that I haven't even seen the contract, much less been asked to consent to it. A valid contract requires voluntary offer, acceptance, and consideration. I've never received an offer from my rulers, so I certainly have not accepted one; and rather than consideration, I have received nothing but contempt from the rulers, who, notwithstanding the absence of any agreement, have indubitably threatened me with grave harm in the event that I fail to comply with their edicts.”

SocialFailingEventsHavensAcceptanceOffersRegardHarmAbsenceAcceptedGravesOccasionsConsiderationProtestAgreementContractsContemptRulersConsentThreatenedSocial Contract
Author:Robert Higgs
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“Voting, the be all and end all of modern democratic politicians, has become a farce, if indeed it was ever anything else. By voting, the people decide only which of the oligarchs preselected for them as viable candidates will wield the whip used to flog them and will command the legion of willing accomplices and anointed lickspittles who perpetrate the countless violations of the people's natural rights. Meanwhile, the masters soothe the masses by assuring them night and day that they - the plundered and bullied multitudes who compose the electorate - are themselves the government.”

PeopleIfsEndsGovernmentUsedNightNaturalRightsModernWillingMastersPoliticianMassDemocraticCommandCandidatesVotingMultitudesViolationWhipsBulliedLegionElectorateFarceNatural RightsAccomplices
Author:Robert Higgs
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“In U.S. history, war has served as an important diversionary tactic, causing the people at large to shift their attention away from the state's own criminality and toward real or fictitious devils abroad. Wars have therefore proved to be extremely useful in propping up the political class and preserving it from the public resistance and rebellion that might otherwise have arisen.”

PeopleImportantWarRealStatesMightPoliticalAttentionClassDevilResistanceRebellionTacticsCriminality
Author:Robert Higgs
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“H. L. Mencken famously said that 'every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.' By now, however, I am no longer ashamed, because I do not identify with the government under which I live. Rather, I view it as a criminal organization that without provocation has chosen to make war on my just rights-not only mine, of course, but everyone's. Although this vile enterprise is my problem, because it robs and bullies me relentlessly and without mercy, it is not my responsibility: the nail is not the hammer.”

MenSaidWarProblemGovernmentCoursesViewsResponsibilityRightsMinesMercyOrganizationCriminalsChosenDecentEnterpriseAshamedNailsBullyHammersProvocationDecent Man
Book:Neither Liberty Nor Safety: Fear, Ideology, and the Growth of Government
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