Tag Archives: Government

First Principles: A Nation Should Avoid Perpetual Debt

Posted on December 9, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.” –Thomas Jefferson

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Commerce, Debt, Economy, First Principles, Government, History, Peace, Tax, Thomas Jefferson, War | Leave a comment

Thought For the Day: A Government That Loses Control of Finances, Loses Its Destiny

Posted on December 8, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“When the world looks at us today, they see an American government that cannot live within its means. They see an American government that continues to borrow money that will mortgage the future of generations to come. The world knows … Continue reading →

Posted in Thought For the Day | Tagged America, Excessive Borrowing, Government, Living Within Means, Mortgaging the Future, Perception, Reality, Thought For the Day, Truth | Leave a comment

Thought For the Day: Excessive Taxation Is Little More Than Extortion

Posted on December 4, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“When more of the people’s sustenance is exacted through the form of taxation than is necessary to meet the just obligations of government, such exaction becomes ruthless extortion and a violation of the fundamental principles of a free government.” –President … Continue reading →

Posted in Thought For the Day | Tagged Exacted, Extortion, Freedom, Government, Just, Obligations, Princples, Sustenance, Taxes, Thought For the Day, Violation | Leave a comment

First Principles: Government Acts Not Enabled By the Constitution Are Illegal

Posted on November 28, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“[S]hould Congress, under the pretext of executing its powers, pass laws for the accomplishment of objects not entrusted to the government, such [acts are] not the law of the land.” –John Marshall, McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819 Back in the day, … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Congress, Constitution, Executive, First Principles, Government, John Marshall, McCulloch v Maryland, Powers, Precedent, Stare Decisis | 1 Comment

First Principles: A Government Formed On Virtue Leads To the Greatest Happiness

Posted on November 26, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better calculated to promote the general happiness than any other form?” — John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776 Thoughts … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged First Principles, Foundation, General Happiness, Government, John Adams, Liberty, Thoughts On Government, Virtue | Leave a comment

First Principles: Truth Can Stand Alone

Posted on November 25, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.” — Thomas Jefferson, in Notes On Virginia Notes on Virginia may be read online beginning here: Click to access Thomas-Jefferson-Notes-On-The-State-Of-Virginia.pdf This and other works from our … Continue reading →

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First Principles: Too Much Discretionary Power Is Unwise

Posted on November 21, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“We repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in any men, when we invest them officially with too much, or an unnecessary quantity of, discretionary power.” –Thomas Paine, Serious Address to the People of Philadelphia, 1778 The complete text … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Confidence, Discernment, Discretionary Power, First Principles, Government, Serious Address to the People of Philadelphia, Thomas Paine, Wisdom | Leave a comment

First Principles: Good Behavior Is Necessary For Continuance In Office

Posted on November 18, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“The standard of good behavior for the continuance in office … is certainly one of the most valuable of the modern improvements in the practice of government.” —Alexander Hamilton , in Federalist Paper No. 78 (1788) Perhaps Al Franken and … Continue reading →

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First Principles: It Is Not An Easy Task To Be President

Posted on November 17, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“The second office of this government is honorable and easy, the first is but a splendid misery.” —Thomas Jefferson (1797) It is easier to be a critic and a naysayer than it is to govern. It’s harder still when you … Continue reading →