Author: Upton Sinclair
Publisher:
Published: 2021-11-15
Total Pages: 63
ISBN-13:
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There are some things which you and I and all Americans take for granted, and don't have to argue about. For example, every man has a right to get to heaven in his own way, if he can; we are not going to meddle with any one's religion. Also, we believe that all men should be equal before the law. We don't mean they all have equal abilities--for that would be a foolish thing to say; but they all have equal rights "to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Also, every man has a right to what he has produced by his own labor; and it is the business of government to protect him in this right. Speaking generally, we think that men live better if they are let alone, to work out their own destinies. We don't want any more government than there has to be; if the government will see that the other fellow keeps his hands out of our pockets, we'll manage to build our own house, and live in it our own way. That is called individualism, and you are keen for it, Judd, and I am no less keen. The only time the government has been on our place in the past ten years has been when it came to inspect the foundations, the plumbing, and the fire-stops in the walls of the house; all of which concern the common welfare.
