Who is the extremist?

[Little-Acorn]

 

[The T]

For those that respect the Constitution, The Declaration? Hmmmm...tough choice.

 

[tyroneweaver]

when sebalious turned her back on help that little girl that needed a heart lung transplant, that was about the most extreme thing Ive ever seen

 

[Intense]

OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT
David Hume
Rendered into HTML and text by Jon Roland
Editing and additional notes based on that of Eugene F. Miller

NOTHING appears more surprizing to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers. When we enquire by what means this wonder is effected, we shall find, that, as FORCE is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion. It is therefore, on opinion only that government is founded; and this maxim extends to the most despotic and most military governments, as well as to the most free and most popular. The soldan of EGYPT, or the emperor of ROME, might drive his harmless subjects, like brute beasts, against their sentiments and inclination: But he must, at least, have led his mamalukes, or prætorian bands, like men, by their opinion.

Opinion is of two kinds, to wit, opinion of INTEREST, and opinion of RIGHT. By opinion of interest, I chiefly understand the sense of the general advantage which is reaped from government; together with the persuasion, that the particular government, which is established, is equally advantageous with any other that could easily be settled. When this opinion prevails among the generality of a state, or among those who have the force in their hands, it gives great security to any government.

Right is of two kinds, right to POWER and right to PROPERTY. What prevalence opinion of the first kind has over mankind, may easily be understood, by observing the attachment which all nations have to their ancient government, and even to those names, which have had the sanction of antiquity. Antiquity always begets the opinion of right; and whatever disadvantageous sentiments we may entertain of mankind, they are always found to be prodigal both of blood and treasure in the maintenance of public justice. There is, indeed, no particular, in which, at first sight, there may appear a greater contradiction in the frame of the human mind than the present. When men act in a faction, they are apt, without shame or remorse, to neglect all the ties of honour and morality, in order to serve their party; and yet, when a faction is formed upon a point of right or principle, there is no occasion, where men discover a greater obstinacy, and a more determined sense of justice and equity. The same social disposition of mankind is the cause of these contradictory appearances. -David Hume
Hume: Of the First Principles of Government

 

[aaronleland]

It would actually depend on how you define extremist. While I'd much prefer Jefferson to Obama, one man said he wanted to fundamentally change America, and the other helped overthrow a government using violence. Jefferson would by far be the most extremist.

 

[Flopper]

Extremist - a person who goes to extremes, especially in political matters.

It all depends on your point of view

Extremist | Define Extremist at Dictionary.com.

 

[Lumpy 1]

when sebalious turned her back on help that little girl that needed a heart lung transplant, that was about the most extreme thing Ive ever seen

Kathleen Sebelius does not work for you | Human Events

 

[Intense]

Jefferson was Principle driven. Obama is agenda driven. There is no comparison between them. There was no comparison between Jefferson and Hamilton, either. Hamilton could be compared to Obama. Who here is more Power Driven?

 

[Vox]

when sebalious turned her back on help that little girl that needed a heart lung transplant, that was about the most extreme thing Ive ever seen

except she was right. one can not change the rules in order to fit the one story as it will ruin the functioning system.
the system caving into the populist pressure - is the worst possible scenario happening in the transplantology - because it can bury it altogether. these areas should not be governed by ignorant judges - and the pandora's box has been opened.

 

[Mr. H.]

That guy on the left has absolutely no relationship to the guy on the right, other than position of Office.

The chasm between the two is immense.

 

[Lumpy 1]

Obama will go down in history as a pathetic excuse for an American President.

 

[Avatar4321]

depends on the times. In a time when people want to abandon responsibility, governing oneself is extreme. Nothing wrong with extremism in that case.