[Diogenesis]

“There is scarce a king in a hundred who would not, if he could, follow the example of
Pharaoh — get first all the people’s money, then their lands, and then make them and
their children servants forever. It will be said that we do not propose to establish kings. I
know it. But there is a natural inclination in mankind to kingly government. It sometimes
relieves them from aristocratic domination. They had rather have one tyrant than 500. It
gives more the appearance of equality among citizens, and that they like. I am
apprehensive — therefore — perhaps too apprehensive — that the government of these
States may in future times end in a monarchy [not called a monarchy but an executive
with monarchial powers]. But this catastrophe, I think, may long be delayed, if in our
proposed system we do not sow the seeds of contention, faction and tumult, by making
our posts of honor places of profit. If we do, I fear that, though we employ at first a
number and not a single person, the number will in time be set aside, it will only nourish
the fetus of a king (as the honorable gentleman from Virginia very aptly expressed it),
and a king will the sooner be set over us.”
-- Benjamin Franklin

[combat_boots]

Great post.

“The Diary of Anne Frank” is on TCM.

[Semperfiwife]

“by making our posts of honor places of profit”...which is what every single one of our representatives have done. Just ask Chris Dodd, Kent Conrad and all those who leave office multi-millionaires or obtaining sweetheart land deals. They get to keep their campaign war chests and then have gold plated retirement benefits that not many of their “subjects” can ever dream of having. Each and every single Senator or Representative today thinks of himself as a monarch in his/her own mind. Benjamin Franklin would be ashamed.