A people cannot long retain their freedom, whose government is incapable of protecting them.
Interpretation
A society's freedom is threatened if its government cannot ensure their safety.
Oliver Ellsworth's quote emphasizes the critical relationship between a government's ability to protect its citizens and the preservation of freedom. It suggests that a government failure in its duty to safeguard the populace leads to the erosion of liberty, highlighting the responsibility of governance in maintaining a secure and free society.
In practice
During a political rally discussing civil rights and government accountability.
A government capable of controlling the whole, and bringing its force to a point, is one of the prerequisites for national liberty. We combine in society, with an expectation to have our persons and properties defended against unreasonable exactions either at home or abroad.
Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world. Justly understood it is sacred next to those which we appropriate in divine adoration; but in the mouths of some it means anything, which enervate a necessary government; excite a jealousy of the rulers who are our own choice, and keep society in confusion for want of a power sufficiently concentered to promote good.
Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world.
Every government is a parliament of whores. The trouble is, in a democracy, the whores are us.
What matters is that the majority of American people have become complacent in a senseless injustice that occurs all around them. What matters is that most American politicians have become more easily swayed by money than by the people who voted them into office.
Thomas Jefferson once said: 'Of course the people don't want war. But the people can be brought to the bidding of their leader. All you have to do is tell them they're being attacked and denounce the pacifists for somehow a lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.' I think that was Jefferson. Oh wait. That was Hermann Goering. Shoot." [Hosting the Peabody Awards for broadcasting excellence at the New York Waldorf-Astoria, June 6, 2006]
Political nature abhors a vacuum, which is what often exists for a year or two in a party after it loses a presidential election.
Fascism is capitalism plus murder.
We, the Black masses, don't want these leaders who seek our support coming to us representing a certain political party. They must come to us today as Black Leaders representing the welfare of Black people. We won't follow any leader today who comes on the basis of political party. Both parties (Democrat and Republican) are controlled by the same people who have abused our rights, and who have deceived us with false promises every time an election rolls around.
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