David Edward Garber (@DaveGarber1975)

“Once government steps over this clear line between the protective or negative role into the aggressive role of redistributing the wealth through taxation and providing so-called ’benefits’ for some of its citizens, it becomes a means for legalized plunder. It becomes a lever of unlimited power that is the sought-after prize of unscrupulous individuals and pressure groups, each seeking to control the machine to fatten his own pockets or to benefit his favorite charity, all with the other fellow’s money, of course. Each class or special interest group competes with the others to throw the lever of governmental power in its favor, or at least to immunize itself against the effects of a previous thrust. Labor gets a minimum wage. Agriculture gets a price support. Some consumers demand price controls. In the end, no one is much further ahead, and everyone suffers the burdens of a gigantic bureaucracy and a loss of personal freedom. With each group out to get its share of the spoils, such governments historically have mushroomed into total welfare states. Once the process begins, once the principle of the protective function of government gives way to the aggressive or redistributive function, then forces are set in motion that drive the nation toward totalitarianism.” – Ezra Taft Benson (Conference Report, 1968 Oct) #JesusChrist #Christianity #WordOfGod #Prophets #EzraTaftBenson #Quotations #ReligionAndPolitics #ChurchAndState #Marxism #ClassWarfare #LegalizedPlunder #RedistributionOfWealth #WelfareState #PoliticalDegeneracy #Bureaucracy #Totalitarianism