Ben Franklin: wealth redistribution, that's what tyrants do

At the constitutional convention, when Franklin was older in his life and his body was starting to fail him, he wrote a letter which was read aloud by a fellow founder, James Wilson. In that letter, here's the whole paragraph of what Franklin says:

Besides these evils, Sir, tho' we may set out in the beginning with moderate salaries, we shall find that such will not be of long continuance. Reasons will never be wanting for proposed augmentations. And there will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able in return to give more to them. -Hence as all history informs us, there has been in every State & Kingdom a constant kind of warfare between the governing & governed: the one striving to obtain more for its support, and the other to pay less. And this has alone occasioned great convulsions, actual civil wars, ending either in dethroning of the Princes, or enslaving of the people. Generally indeed the ruling power carries its point, the revenues of princes constantly increasing, and we see that they are never satisfied, but always in want of more. The more the people are discontented with the oppression of taxes; the greater need the prince has of money to distribute among his partizans and pay the troops that are to suppress all resistance, and enable him to plunder at pleasure. There is scarce a king in a hundred who would not, if he could, follow the example of Pharoah, get first all the peoples money, then all their lands, and then make them and their children servants for ever. It will be said, that we don't propose to establish Kings. I know it. But there is a natural inclination in mankind to Kingly Government. It sometimes relieves them from Aristocratic domination. They had rather have one tyrant than five hundred. It gives more of the appearance of equality among Citizens, and that they like. I am apprehensive therefore, perhaps too apprehensive, that the Government of these States, may in future times, end in a Monarchy. But this Catastrophe I think may be long delayed, if in our proposed System we do not sow the seeds of contention, faction & tumult, by making our posts of honor, places of profit. If we do, I fear that tho' we do employ at first a number, and not a single person, the number will in time be set aside, it will only nourish the foetus of a King, as the honorable gentleman from Virginia very aptly expressed it, and a King will the sooner be set over us.

A few portions of this description of tyranny are key. For example:

Generally indeed the ruling power carries its point, the revenues of princes constantly increasing, and we see that they are never satisfied, but always in want of more. The more the people are discontented with the oppression of taxes; the greater need the prince has of money to distribute among his partizans and pay the troops that are to suppress all resistance, and enable him to plunder at pleasure.

And that's what all those who redistribute the wealth do, isn't it? Very little of what they redistribute goes to everybody. They use it to buy votes and shore up a voter base, among their partizans. To keep people dependent, and enough is never enough. Or as Franklin notes, they use it to pay their civilian national security force to suppress the people.

there has been in every State & Kingdom a constant kind of warfare between the governing & governed: the one striving to obtain more for its support, and the other to pay less. And this has alone occasioned great convulsions, actual civil wars, ending either in dethroning of the Princes, or enslaving of the people.

This would be the real goal of anybody who believes in the Cloward-Piven strategy. That is, enslaving the people. Collapse the system, install yourself as dictator.

They know wealth redistribution is a highly destructive force, and they're counting on it. None of what progressives want to do has anything to do with 'justice'. It's about power. There was even a book written by a progressive who dreamed about seeing an american dictator. That book's title is Philip Dru, Administrator. You can download it and read it. Or you can download and listen to the audiobook.

America can defeat progressivism. History is the answer.

Franklin's letter is also available as an audio file.