Noah Webster – Uncommon Sense

Corrupt politicians mean corrupt government

If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted.

Armed citizens prevent military tyranny

Another source of power in government is a military force. But this, to be efficient, must be superior to any force that exists among the people, or which they can command; for otherwise this force would be annihilated, on the first exercise of acts of oppression.