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Sund skepsis fra en amerikansk præsident

Godt nok nogle år siden – men ikke desto mindre er der kød på det ben.
Andrew Jackson nedlagde veto i 1832 mod at forlænge eksistensen af en korrupt Nationalbank (beklager pleonasmen).

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law; but when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society–the farmers, mechanics, and laborers–who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their Government. There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing.
(Min fremhævning)

Betænk dernæst hvad formålet med lov er – nemlig retfærdighed. Når loven bruges som et middel til at skaffe sig adgang til andres ejendom perverteres den og samfundet degenererer til en kamp om at bemægtige sig lovgivningen.

Frédéric Bastiat beskrev i Loven konsekvenserne af misbrug af lovgivning – den er fra 1850 – men lige relevant i dag. Køb den her på dansk for 37,50

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