Government is Evil (?)

 The latest email from the Tenth Amendment Center.

I think this thought needs more exploration and interrogation.

Government - even in its best state “is still evil” Thomas Paine didn’t pull any punches in Common Sense. First published on January 10, 1776, it remains one of the most important pamphlets in American history. Far more than a rousing call for independence, it was an uncompromising - and scathing - attack on unlimited, centralized power.

Dive Deeper: Listen to the podcast and read the full article Article Here: 👉  https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2025/01/10/thomas-paines-common-sense-a-timeless-call-for-liberty-vs-unlimited-power/ Video podcast with reference links to read and share: 👉  https://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2025/01/government-is-evil-timeless-lessons-from-thomas-paines-common-sense/

In This Podcast and Article, You’ll Learn: How Thomas Paine’s plain and direct language shattered the illusion of reconciliation with Britain. Why he declared government, at best, a “necessary evil” and, at worst, an “intolerable one.” His scathing critique of taxation under tyranny: “Our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer.” Paine’s bold vision for a new government, emphasizing the supremacy of the law over kings: “In America, the law is king.” Paine made a number of key arguments throughout Common Sense, including: Many traditional rights were naturally bestowed and pre-existed government. Legitimate government depends on the consent of the governed and is based on contractual relationships between individuals. A free people could withdraw from an illegitimate government, as such a government ceased to possess the right to demand compliance. More Highlights from Common Sense Paine dismantled three common arguments for reconciling with Britain: 1. Unlimited Power Cannot Be Reconciled: “The powers of governing still remaining in the hands of the King … You shall make no laws but what I please!?” A system that had already demonstrated a “thirst for arbitrary power” could not be trusted to respect liberty or the rights of the colonies. For Paine, reconciliation would not end oppression; it would institutionalize it, cementing the King’s role as a tyrant over America. 2. Prosperity Under British Rule Was Misleading: Paine attacked the argument that the colonies owed their prosperity to British rule. He rejected the notion that the Crown’s control had benefited America, arguing instead that the colonies’ success was in spite of her and due to their own natural resources and industrious people. “America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power taken any notice of her.” 3. British Protection Was a Myth: Paine also exposed the self-serving nature of British “protection,” rejecting the notion that unlimited power was keeping America “safe.” Independence, he argued, would free America from entanglements, allowing it to chart a course of peace and neutrality. “Let Britain waive her pretensions to the Continent, or the Continent throw off the dependance, and we should be at peace with France and Spain, were they at war with Britain.”

JOIN TAC, SUPPORT LIBERTY! 👉 details here Let’s keep building the foundation! For as little as $2/month, help us take a stand for the Constitution and liberty - whether the government likes it, or not. (they don’t!) Make a one-time donation here: 👉 https://donate.stripe.com/fZecNzggUaDG3LydR0

Lessons for Today Paine’s timeless critique of centralized power continues to resonate. His call for free trade and a foreign policy of peace – no entangling or permanent alliances – anticipated principles later echoed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. “As Europe is our market for trade, we ought to form no partial connection with any part of it. It is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions.” Paine recognized the necessity of standing firm against tyranny, a lesson that transcends his time. His blunt and unapologetic approach reminds us of a vital truth: freedom is not granted by tyrants – it is claimed by the people. Begging those in power to stop abusing their authority is futile; Paine understood that true liberty can only be secured by rejecting illegitimate power outright. Common Sense was more than a critique for 1776; it was a rallying cry for the ages. Thomas Paine reminds us all that unchecked government is the greatest threat to liberty. His arguments emphasize the importance of rejecting centralized control and standing up for the natural rights of individuals. Over two centuries later, his words remain a call to action for those who cherish freedom. His message is clear: liberty requires vigilance, courage, and an unwavering commitment to resist tyranny in all its forms. As Paine wrote, "We have it in our power to begin the world over again." The question is whether we have the resolve to do so. 📖 Read the Article → HERE 🎙️ Watch or listen to the podcast → HERE This is definitely not the kind of thing the government-run “education” system teaches. At all. That’s why we work so hard every single day to reach and teach more and more people about these essential foundational principles. And nothing helps us get that job done more than the financial faith and support of our members. 👉 You can join us for as little as 2 bucks/month over at https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/members/ Brick-by-brick. Person-by-person. Building a strong foundation for liberty – whether the government happens to like it, or not. (they definitely do not) Prefer to make a one-time donation? Go directly to our processor to pitch in here: 👉 https://donate.stripe.com/fZecNzggUaDG3LydR0 You can also mail a check to: Tenth Amendment Center 4000 Barranca Parkway, Suite 250 PMB 705 Irvine, CA 92604 Thank you so much for reading - and your support! Concordia res parvae crescunt (small things grow great by concord) Michael Boldin, TAC