Thomas Paine was an Englishman who emigrated to America a couple of years or so before the Declaration of American Independence. His pamphlet ‘Common Sense’ set out the ideology of the American Revolution, for it was a revolution, not simply a war of independence. Europe, and the Americas, which were ruled from Europe, were ruled by tyrants, so called benevolent despots, those who know better than us.
The people of the Thirteen Colonies decided that there would be no taxation without representation, that they needed no king and no bishop to watch over them.
Here are a few quotes from Thomas Paine.
“That there are men in all countries who get their living by war, and by keeping up the quarrels of nations, is as shocking as it is true; but when those who are concerned in the government of a country, make it their study to sow discord and cultivate prejudices between nations, it becomes the more unpardonable.”
“Government, like dress, is a badge of lost innocence.”
“….taxes are not raised to carry on wars, but that wars are raised to carry on taxes.”
“We still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry and grasping at the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised to furnish new pretences for revenue and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without a tribute.”
“Society, in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.”
“That government is best which governs least.”
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