How to destroy Democracy - President Thomas Jefferson

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
- President Thomas Jefferson

Thanks to the reader who pointed out that this quote may not be attributable to Jefferson. While ne evidence exists that he didn't say it, and many comments by Jefferson and other founding fathers are similar, there is no record of Jefferson saying these exact words.

"The government cannot give to anyone anything that it does not first take from someone else."
Aristotle the Hun.

In a quotation attributed to the French author, Alexis de Tocqueville, the dangers of loose fiscal policy were stated as follows: "A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largess out of the public treasury."

In his 1983 book It's Your Choice, Warren T. Hackett quoted Arnold Toynbee as saying the following:

"The release of initiative and enterprise made possible by self-government ultimately generates disintegrating forces from within. Again and again, after freedom brings opportunity and some degree of plenty, the competent become selfish, luxury-loving and complacent; the incompetent and unfortunate grow envious and covetous; and all three groups turn aside from the hard road of freedom to worship the golden calf of economic security. The historical cycle seems to be: from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to apathy; from apathy to dependency; and from dependency back to bondage once more."