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1/11 - Fundamental American Liberties

“The government is best which governs not at all.” This quote is from the document by Henry David Thoreau entitled, “Civil Disobedience”. From this quote we can see how his beliefs are not aligned with the government, and righty so in my opinion. He accepts the motto that “that government is best which governs least”. Thoreau also believes that most governments are usually not suitable while all governments are sometimes not suitable. He does not have total faith in any government.

The government has a history of not always being concerned with what is best for the people. There is a line of individuals standing up for change and even putting their lives on the line. According to Thoreau, the government is so weak that a single man can bend it to his will. We should each let it be known what type of government it is that we want and demand it for ourselves and our loved ones. Demanding our respect he says is step one in obtaining respect. Civil Disobedience is important because it sends a message to our government that we will not be ignored. If they are treating us unjustly we need to disobey them. In Thoreaus circumstance, he refused to pay taxes due to protesting slavery and the Mexican war.

It is important to know about this because he is a model for civil disobedience. Man made laws are not incapable of making mistakes. Man made laws are not the highest of laws, for that would be the laws of God and humanity. There will never be such a thing as a state that is truly free until all individuals are respected and recognized for their intellect and power. The government will continue to be a failed system, imprisoning the unjust as well as the just.

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