Can we understand?
Nov 26th, 2007 by Randy Toman
It could be shown that the laws of this land are now at a point were they act in direct opposition to their own purpose. How has this perversion of the law been accomplished? And what have been the results? Early in his book “The Law” Frederic Bastiat asked those two questions. The very next line of the book after those questions Bastiat says.
“ The law has been perverted by the influence of two entirely different causes: Stupid greed and false philanthropy.”
Bastiat goes on to layout the natural tendencies of man and says this.
“ This fatal desire has its origin in the nature of man…”
He develops a masterful argument against socialism and legal plunder. He says, “Woe to the nation…” In the section entitled “The Results of Legal Plunder” Bastiat says this.
“When law and morality contradict each other, the citizen has the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense or losing his respect for the law. These two evils are of equal consequence,…”
Are we about to lose both?
This short book of 75 pages puts forth a complete argument against “Socialism”. It is must reading to understand today’s problems here in America. Bastiat’s book was first published as a pamphlet June 1850, the truths are eternal and deserved to be read and studied in 2007. Why because we have times here in America that mirror Bastiat’s time in France. Bastiat’s closes his book with this sentence.
“May they reject all systems, and try liberty: for liberty is an acknowledgment of faith in God and His work.”
Can we understand this?
All quotes from Dean Russells’ translation (1950) The Foundation for Economic Education Inc. Irvington - on – Hudson, New York 10533
Let’s not confuse liberty and government by corporations.
“We may congratulate ourselves that this cruel war is nearing its end.
It has cost a vast amount of treasure and blood. . . .
It has indeed been a trying hour for the Republic; but
I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes
me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war,
corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places
will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong
its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth
is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.
I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety
of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war.
God grant that my suspicions may prove groundless.”
– U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21, 1864
(letter to Col. William F. Elkins)
Ref: The Lincoln Encyclopedia, Archer H. Shaw (Macmillan, 1950, NY)