The consequences of tyranny; Perugia.

In case you are wondering what happens when a society succumbs to one-party despotic rule, read the following passage on the city-state of Perugia (in Renaissance Italy). The author describes the result of one party (Baglioni) seizing total power after expelling their opponents (Oddi) around 1445 A.D. Keep in mind the lesson for our own future and the ultimate price of selling your liberty in exchange for a few government handouts. You will not merely be hurting "the rich," the "tea party," "big insurance," Sarah Palin, Republicans in Congress or some other devil scapegoat that the left happens to target. You will be creating chaos for yourselves and destroying your own livelihoods and peace of mind. Tyranny has consequences.

From the day the Oddi were expelled, our city went from bad to worse. All the young men followed the trade of arms. Their lives were disorderly, and every day divers excesses were divulged, and the city had lost all reason and justice. Every man administered right unto himself, by his own authority and with royal hand. The pope sent many legates, if so be the city could be brought to order. But all who came went back in dread of being hewn to pieces; for the Baglioni threated to throw some from the windows of the palace, so that no cardinal or other legate durst approach Perugia unlesss he were their friend. And the city was brought to such misery that the most lawless men were most prized; and those who had slain two or three men walked as they pleased through the palace, and went with sword or poignard to speak to the podesta and other magistrates. Every man of worth was trodden down by bravos whom the nobles favored, nor could a citizen call his property his own. The nobles robbed first one and then another of goods and land. All offices were sold or else suppressed; and taxes and extortions were so grievous that everyone cried out.

Francesco Matarazzo, Cronaca (as quoted in Durant, The Renaissance, p. 242.)