politicalcivility.com Blog

Another classic quote from Joseph Story that hits the heart of powering grabbing advocates on both sides of the isle (i.e., the “WAR” on terror or the “WAR” poverty).  

It has been often said, that necessity is the plea of tyrants, but it is equally true, that it is the plea of all public bodies invested with power, where no check exists upon its exercise.

In one sentence, Story outlines the formula for power accumulation (or governmental intervetionalism, which ultimately leads to totalitarianism):  create or magnify a crisis (necessity for fixing/intervening), make it emotional so that rational thinking is easy to marginalize, and once the public is in uproar, pass legislation that increases the size and scope of government and accumulates power to the state. 

Simple and proven strategy.  Perhaps next time we here of the next “WAR” on anything we would do well to ask if by adopting the “solution” of the advocate do I gain freedom or surrender it.