Alabama, Declaration of Rights Article I Section 35 Quote

“That the sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression.”


Ratings and Comments


Anonymous
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Anonymous    7/21/06

Quotes like this remind me that the Libertarian party is the only party available today.

warren, olathe

Says it all in a short amount of time.

helorat, Milton

Great quote. Unfortunately the Libertarian party has no desire to protect our country or its borders.

Mike, Norwalk

While defining this nation's original birthing concept, it is today as dead in Alabama as it is in the rest of the States, including the Union thereof.

Ron, Raleigh

We as modern day Patriots must teach our young and remind the old of the deadly consequence of passiveity. Stand up and fight against the "king" just as Jefferson and all the Founders did. Failure to do so will surely result in the loss of our "great experiment".

Ken, Allyn, WA

Eloquent in its simplicity, directness, and truth.

E Archer, NYC

This passage did not stop the Northern states from their 'agression' -- it won't stop today's usurpers either -- it is war whether we like it or not.

Victor, Southern Utah

Do the politicians believe this?

J Carlton, Calgary

The American Experiment came about by watering the liberty tree with the blood of tyrants. I wonder if it can ever be restarted...

Waffler, Smith

Nice words but I get stopped for not wearing my motorcycle helmet in Alabama just like anywhere else so that seems to beg the question what does the statement mean in concrete terms. When was the staement written and what effect did it have during segregation. Talk like this is certainly cheap enough!

jim k, austin

Waff, read the last part of the quote, or have someone read it to you.

Anon
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Anon    5/20/09

Waff, cars, horses and now helmets. Give it a rest will ya?

J Carlton, Calgary

If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin. ~ Samuel Adams

Nancy, OH
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Nancy, OH    6/15/09

Our federal government is overly energetic in creating new laws; it's as if they dismiss the whole of the US Consitution.

Windy, Bellingham, WA

Too bad there is only one politician in office who actually lives and votes by the Constitution. Would be nice if we could place a collar, which causes a choking sensation when the wearer lies, on each and every politician before s/he takes his/her oath of office and make them wear it until they leave office. and Immediately remove them from office if the collar goes off, even once Maybe then we'd get Constitutional government again.

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

Your government responsibility is to recognize in it as any other relationship in which you wish to succeed. Government is just another human relationship, loving, caring, courtesy, and courage.

E Archer, NYC
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E Archer, NYC Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 5/8/25

Sheesh! Government is just another human relationship, loving, caring, courtesy, and courage?  What planet are you living on?!

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
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Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown E Archer, NYC 5/9/25

Mr Archer, are you not a successful husband, father, or friend? Well if you're a success at those relationships, you governmental citizenry is no different. It's just another relationship, it's all connected.  The government needs your love and guidance. The government is all inclusive. We all need homes, nutrition, and to grow. We're  all in this together. All for one, one for all.

E Archer, NYC
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E Archer, NYC Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 5/9/25

The claim that 'we' are the government is inaccurate.  The people chartered a government with strictly limited powers represented by elected officials with strictly limited duties  certainly the representatives have no more powers than those of the citizens that elected them.  Individually, we are self-governing, that is to say, I am responsible for myself, have rights that the government did not grant and cannot take away, and the government may not dictate what I must do.  The government itself is made up of a minute subset of the people.  

What all the people in common have are our rights to life, liberty, and equal protection of the common law.  Anything else is usurpation.

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
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Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown E Archer, NYC 5/9/25

Mr Archer, I cannot alienate myself from my responsibility, nor can you, to governing anymore than I can alienate responsibility to myself. You are clearly underestimating your abilities "but one man can change the present," in this attitude degenerating to a subhuman status. Self-governing and universal governing are eventually a positive correlate. As you gain control of yourself, the others cannot help but follow.

Mike,, Norwalk
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Mike,, Norwalk E Archer, NYC 5/10/25

Archer, said extremely well. I might add that, government (an inorganic / non-sensorial abstract) is most accurately an extension of law and justice, simply administrated by those willing to be servants thereto. A government of / by / for people is either a gathering of sovereign servants serving the law / justice; OR, as interpreted the vast majority of the time, a socialistic usurpation of individual sovereignty, inalienable rights and liberty at nature's law. 

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