After hearing of Thomas Paine in the song 'Renegades Of Funk' I decided to look him up at Wikipedia, as I was familiar with all the other people mentioned in the song. After reading what Wikipedia has to say about him ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine ) I have come to the conclusion that he is a Liberal-Libertarian in his social beliefs (his fiscal beliefs were not mentioned). As you may or may not know (if you didn't, you do now!), I consider myself a Liberal-Libertarian, and the beliefs assigned to Paine in the Wikipedia article (the belief that government is a necessary evil, great importance placed on personal liberty, anti-Monarchy, public education ect.) as well as his anti-slavery beliefs all coincide with my own beliefs. Apart from his Deism, and support for social security, I agree with all the beliefs and stances credited to him in the article.

Therefore, I wish to know if the Wikipedia article is accurate, and if anyone knows of any other beliefs held by Paine. Thank you.

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It's the difference between suicide and slow capitulation... - Jim Morrison

I've always liked his quote: "That government is best which governs least."

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"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams

Where have all the Conservatives Gone?

Wow. Yeah. He pretty much sounds like what the Crat Party is supposed to sound like but doesn't.

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"Conservatives say if you don't give the rich more money, they will lose their incentive to invest. As for the poor, they tell us they've lost all incentive because we've given them too much money."

-George Carlin

I only take everything I say as Gospel.


I assume you are talking about Edmund Burke. He seems to represent your beliefs quite comprehensibly, but my beliefs and your beliefs are far from parallel (accept perhaps, in the size/role of government) therefore I hold Paine's beliefs to be superior. But that's just a simple matter of personal preference.

...But I'm right...

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It's the difference between suicide and slow capitulation... - Jim Morrison

...I just like that song (which was a cover of an Afrikaa Bombaataa song).

Just in case you were thinking I was a Commie wannabe. I may be a pot smoker, but that doesn't mean I have to like Che Guevara and Rage Against The Machine.

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It's the difference between suicide and slow capitulation... - Jim Morrison

It doesn't mean you have to like Che, but you still do.

On Paine...
I've read, and own, his Common Sense. Decent book. I agree with some of his ideas, but I found his arguments against the British monarchy and for independence rather unconvincing.
More of a fan of Locke myself.

...although his involvement with the Royal Africa Company was more than a bit suspicious.

It seems to me that I have a political philosophy that incorporates many elements of both Locke's and Paine's philosophies respectively. Plus things I have come to on my own, and some I have developed here. Just incase you were wondering...

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It's the difference between suicide and slow capitulation... - Jim Morrison

Of course you are. As long as your views match mine you always will be.

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"Conservatives say if you don't give the rich more money, they will lose their incentive to invest. As for the poor, they tell us they've lost all incentive because we've given them too much money."

-George Carlin

...your views match mine. Not the other way around. So nah!!

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It's the difference between suicide and slow capitulation... - Jim Morrison