"The mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately." —Thomas Jefferson
An artificial aristocracy has taken to rule America. They think of us as being saddled, as if they were born Booted and Spurred to ride us. To dominate the people. Fueled by corrupt government and abuses of power, political dynasties groom their children to permanently keep political seats. As if those were theirs by privilege.
This was not the purpose of the American Revolution.
These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.
