To define the nature of a government truly, I would say, that a power of distributing property, able to gratify avarice and monopoly, designated a bad one; and that the absence of every such power, designated a good one.
John Taylor, 1820, Virginia
Leading proponent of Jeffersonian principles of States' rights and limited federal powers.
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Modern English translation:
If a government can take away personal property for redistribution, to satisfy greed or aid monopoly, [and I would add: aid other individuals, corporations, or governments], that's bad.
If government has no such power, it's good.
Our government today: Bad.
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