"That Government is best which governs least..."

"The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it. Witness the present Mexican war,(2) the work of comparatively a few individuals using the standing government as their tool; for, in the outset, the people would not have consented to this measure."-Henry David Thoreau 

           Thoreau argues that laws are man made and that there is a higher divine law.  When he conflict, according to Thoreau, one must obey a higher power.   This was truly a guy whom concerned himself with nothing else but his person, he even didn't pay his own taxes!  His disconnect was actually quite interesting for he still kept himself informed but his views remained unchanged.  He was not all that naive however, he was against slavery and made clear his discontent with current war during his time.  This particular passage really intrigued me, he is basically saying that government, "the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will" is as bad as the people running it.  I do agree with what he says to so extend, we can see this even today with other international powers and even here in NYC with recent corruption cases.  However, to the extend of not having a government, that would be a recipe for the end...