HG Wells, speech to the Liberals Society, Oxford, 1932, via Doc Zero:

We have seen the Fascisti in Italy and a number of clumsy imitations elsewhere, and we have seen the Russian Communist Party coming into existence to reinforce this idea…I am asking for a Liberal Fascisti, for enlightened Nazis..

Horatio Bunce, to Congressman Davy Crockett, via Frank Miele:

Well, Colonel, it is hardly worth-while to waste time or words upon it. I do not see how it can be mended, but you gave a vote last winter which shows that either you have not capacity to understand the Constitution, or that you are wanting in the honesty and firmness to be guided by it. In either case you are not the man to represent me. But I beg your pardon for expressing it in that way. I did not intend to avail myself of the privilege of the constituent to speak plainly to a candidate for the purpose of insulting or wounding you. I intend by it only to say that your understanding of the Constitution is very different from mine; and I will say to you what, but for my rudeness, I should not have said, that I believe you to be honest.

…But an understanding of the Constitution different from mine I cannot overlook, because the Constitution, to be worth anything, must be held sacred, and rigidly observed in all its provisions. The man who wields power and misinterprets it is the more dangerous the more honest he is.

…The power of collecting and disbursing money at pleasure is the most dangerous power that can be entrusted to man, particularly under our system of collecting revenue by a tariff, which reaches every man in the country, no matter how poor he may be, and the poorer he is the more he pays in proportion to his means…The people have delegated to Congress, by the Constitution, the power to do certain things. To do these, it is authorized to collect and pay moneys, and for nothing else. Everything beyond this is usurpation, and a violation of the Constitution.

So you see, Colonel, you have violated the Constitution in what I consider a vital point. It is a precedent fraught with danger to the country, for when Congress once begins to stretch its power beyond the limits of the Constitution, there is no limit to it, and no security for the people.

Grover Cleveland, via Insty:

I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution and I do not believe that the power and duty of the general government ought to be extended to the relief of individual suffering which is in no manner properly related to the public service or benefit. A prevalent tendency to disregard the limited mission of this power and duty should I think be steadfastly resisted to the end that the lesson should be constantly enforced that though the people support the government the government should not support the people.

The friendliness and charity of our countrymen can always be relied upon to relieve their fellow citizens in misfortune This has been repeatedly and quite lately demonstrated Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character while it prevents the indulgence among our people of that kindly sentiment and conduct which strengthen the bonds of brotherhood…

Matthew Continetti of the Weekly Standard:

When Americans look at the economic landscape, they see dismal growth, high unemployment, and large deficits. But when they listen to the president and Congress, they hear that “stimulus”–borrowing ever more from tomorrow to spend today–will work like some kind of magic cure. They hear that this perilous moment is the time to build a “new foundation” with even more expenditures and taxes through “cap-and-trade” and Obamacare. It’s as if spending and debt are no problem; as if it’s fine that the federal government–which failed in its fundamental duties to build guardrails for the financial system–owns large chunks of that system; as if the political, financial, and think-tank elites have proven themselves worthy of the public’s trust.

Two issues are at the center of the present discontent. The first is the state of public finances. The activists and other concerned citizens who showed up at the first tea parties last spring weren’t protesting Obamacare (yet). They were protesting Obama’s bailouts, budgets, and deficits. Obama’s expansion of the state is an offense to liberty, but also to equity. People understand that as the government grows, they will have less opportunity to dispose of their income as they see fit. So the deficit is more than a number or a “structural imbalance.” It’s a symbol of unrestrained and irresponsible governance.

The country we now live in resembles the America of the Founders in only the most superficial and coincidental way. But don’t give up hope just yet; Marta Mossberg, again via Insty:

The group collectively lamented that the Right discovered Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals.” “It’s kind of scary! They have learned all of the tricks,” said Sue Esty, the assistant director of American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Maryland.

Good. You liberal fascists damned well ought to be afraid, every minute of your day. There are still plenty of real Americans out here who aren’t going to let our country go one inch further down the collectivist road to ruin without a fight.

Update! Oops — didn’t notice Noel had linked the Continetti piece earlier. So nice we posted it twice…