It can only be by blinding the understanding of man, and making him believe that government is some wonderful mysterious thing, that excessive revenues are obtained. Monarchy is well calculated to ensure this end. It is the popery of government; a thing kept up to amuse the ignorant, and quiet them into taxes.
Thomas PaineAll men can understand what representation is; and that it must necessarily include a variety of knowledge and talents.
Thomas PaineThe United States of America will sound as pompously in the world or in history as The Kingdom of Great Britain.
Thomas PaineThe error of those who reason by precedents drawn from antiquity, respecting the rights of man, is that they do not go far enough into antiquity.
Thomas Paine