Feeding at the Public Trough: Quotes

"Every man is, no doubt, by nature, first and principally recommended to his own care; and as he is fitter to take care of himself than of any other person, it is fit and right that it should be so."
-- Adam Smith (1723-1790) Scottish philosopher and economist
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Adam.Smith.Quote.61C5

"I cannot find any authority in the Constitution for public charity, ... [it] would be contrary to the letter and the spirit of the Constitution and subversive to the whole theory upon which the Union of these States is founded."
-- Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) U.S. President
Source: 1854, he vetoed a bill to help the mentally ill
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Franklin.Pierce.Quote.8563

I feel obliged to withhold my approval of the plan to indulge in benevolent and charitable sentiment through the appropriation of public funds... I find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution."
-- Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) 22nd & 24th US President
Source: In 1887 when vetoing an appropriation to help drought-stricken counties in Texas
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Grover.Cleveland.Quote.CB4E

more ""American Founding Fathers' & Traditional
American Values" quotes at: http://harrold.org/quotes

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