“The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.”
and
“Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law.”
These were written in 1809 and 1814, respectively, by Thomas Jefferson, who’s very often invoked as a “Founding Father” by people who want to allow school prayer or keep “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. Gives you something to think about.
And hey, as long as we’re thinking, here’s a part of John Galt’s speech from Atlas Shrugged I came across again two days ago. Again, more Ayn Rand:
“Money is your means of survival. The verdict you pronounce upon the source of your livelihood is the verdict you pronounce upon your life. If the source is corrupt, you have damned your own existence. Did you get your money by fraud? By pandering to men’s vices or men’s stupidity? By catering to fools, in the hope of getting more than your ability deserves? By lowering your standards? By doing work you despise for purchasers you scorn? If so, then your money will not give you a moment’s or a penny’s worth of joy. Then all the things you buy will become, not a tribute to you, but a reproach; not an achievement, but a reminder of shame. Then you’ll scream that money is evil. Evil, because it would not pinch-hit for your self-respect? Evil, because it would not let you enjoy your depravity? Is this the root of your hatred of money?”
Wow, so much thinking going on this week. Where are all the cute animal pictures?