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Thoughts on democracy vs. socialism

Posted 09 Oct 2008 in 2008 election, Barack Obama, healthcare, socialism, wise quotes

(First off, allow me to clarify that I fully realize we are a representative republic practicing capitalism. But the basic principle here stands.)

In light of yesterday’s post about Obama’s time as a registered socialist and the subsequent lengthy discussion in the comments section regarding the values (and lack thereof) of socialism, I thought I’d add this fitting quote from Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. (h/t: Lola)

“Democracy extends the sphere of individual freedom, socialism restricts it. Democracy attaches all possible value to each man; socialism makes each man a mere agent, a mere number. Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.”

Just something to keep in mind as more and more of our fellow citizens seem to be eager for Santa Obama to give them a pony universal healthcare.

A couple other good thoughts on freedom vs. the nanny state:

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.” ~Thomas Jefferson

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largess of the public treasury. From that time on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” ~Sir Alexander Fraser Tytler

Posted by FullMetalPatriot
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT

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