Let Freedom Ring

On this Fourth of July I wish to present some Independence Day quotations from five of our Founding Fathers. The quotes are accurate to the degree we trust brainyquote.com. All comments are meant to be satirical.

Lighting the way for those "yearning to be free."

It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it.

George Washington

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington_3.html#DJE4E0IMOzajzKZ0.99

Sounds to me like George thought everyone owed the government some of their property. A few people might consider this socialism. Say it isn’t so, George.

We're all red, white and blue.

The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.

John Adams

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_adams_2.html#3QL1oSdGUc3E8QPj.99

Now, I know Adams and Jefferson were constant rivals, but it sounds like old John favored working things out to the kind of gridlock that grips Washington these days.

I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.

Thomas Jefferson

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_jefferson.html#b14pDp4ru3b6qfR6.99

Long may she wave.

C’mon Tommy! You’ve got to be kidding. You mean even before Carnegie, Morgan, Ford, Rockefeller, Koch, Walton and Trump, there were power hungry corporations trying to manipulate the government?

Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of man will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.

Alexander Hamilton

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/alexander_hamilton.html#Epqi1XFedWsY2sm6.99

Easy, Al. Everyone who reads Hi Oh Silver is both reasonable and just. If Americans would just read this blog we’d have no need for government.

The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.

Benjamin Franklin

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/benjaminfr138284.html#TIxybVKzwW0SfuAs.99

Ben is best remembered as the guy flying a kite in the rain in order to catch lightning in a jar. Think that’s the best way to catch happiness, too?