The life of a democracy
“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years.”
“Great nations rise and fall. The people go from bondage to spiritual truth, to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back again to bondage.”
The above quote is attributed to Alexander Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee (1747-1813). However, it does not seem to appear in any of his writings. Tytler was a Scottish advocate, judge, writer and historian. He was Professor of Universal History at the University of Edinburgh. Whether or not he wrote these words is unimportant. What is important is that we heed these words.
Peter MacRae, Lakeport
More home-grown heros
Throughout the Valley Fire I have seen mention of many who have played helpful/crucial roles to aid victims of the fire. I have not, however, seen any reference to Lou Riccardi and his “bunch of cowboys” who have rescued, freed, and provided hay for so many of the livestock whose owners were forced to leave behind.
Sadly, of the bunch, I know only Lou, but they all deserve praise for using their time, their own equipment, and good sense to help others. Our county would be much worse off were it not for their help.
Guff Worth, Lakeport
