"Whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called"
(from 'On Liberty', by John Stuart Mill - English Philsopher, born 1806 - died 1873)
Opinions
Are a
Dime per
Dozen
Yet
Each
Individual
Has the
Right
To be
Heard
Or
Democracy
Doesn't
Exist
And
Tyranny
O'er the
Land
Shall
Rule
So
Which
Are
We?
Author notes
Quotation from John Stuart Mill's essay: "On Liberty".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Liberty
For a link to the book, click on the following link:
http://www.serendipity.li/jsmill/jsmill.htm
For definition, and more info about these terms, you can click on these footnotes:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=tyranny+-+government&fulltext=Search
In a list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 15 of 15
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This poem is going to provoke debate and questions, and ultimately that is the true worth of these pieces, they get people thinking and discussing. That, again, can only be positive thing.
I did wonder what you were going to do with the piece as I read it, i think the last three lines are clever and work really well.
James
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Thank you for your perceptive comment, cause that is why I wrote it. Appreciate your comments; compliments and applause.
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In truth, I'm really happy we don't live in a true democracy where the rule of the majority is law. Though our constitution has taken a beating recently it, in pratice, still guarantees certain inalienable rights to everyone except 'terrorists' of course.
Sincerely,
Leo Long
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Aye, as John Stuart Mill has said: 'the tyranny of the majority' can be dangerous indeed. He mentioned this phrase in his book "On Liberty". Here's a Wikipedia link for those who haven't heard of it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Liberty
See also: http://www.utilitarianism.com/jsmill.htm
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I see...
I've been telling people it's looking more and more like we are headed towards socialism or even worse communism.
I won't be with them.
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Thank you for your most thoughtful comment and applause I do appreciate them.
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Great Words
Your words do make the reader think. So many diverse opinions and thoughts in this country, which is wonderful to have in a democracy. I have to agree with the previous comment. The media has its bias and own secular agenda. It seems to get worse each election cycle. I believe our forefathers wanted a godly country. I am one who thinks that following the Ten Comandments is a great way to avoid tyranny. They make sense to me.
But I am just one in the many masses of opinions today. Great poem!! Thank you for sharing. Hugs and Smiles!
Bless You,
Sandy
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Thank you for your comments and compliments. Yes, we have great diversity in this country. I especially enjoy the religious diversity. Myself, I prefer the philosophy of John Stuart Mill, to avoid tyranny, as he expressed so well in his book: "On Liberty". None the less, hope you have a good day.
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Outstanding
I've always seen myself as a bit of a freedom fighter so this poem rings true with me. I think society today is a bit of both. The media dictates which voices are heard and they have their own agenda. I liked the way you ended the poem with a question mark as it left the reader to contemplate what you were saying. Nice to read a philosophical poem that has some thought behind it.
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Thank you for your most thoughtful comment; compliment and applause. I do appreciate them.
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We're in danger of losing our democracy
as we, as citizens, lose our voice in the cacophony of corporate owned media.
There can be no democracy, no hope for our future, without a free, independent and vital press.
. Rewarded 4
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment; with which I quite agree. I appreciate your implied compliment and applause.
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"So
Which
Are
We?"
Politically Correct?
This seems to be the in-phrase.
Thanks for saying what more people should remember.
Best, p
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Thank you for your comment; compliment and applause. I do appreciate them.
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