In high school, when I first became interested in politics, I started a folder I aptly titled, “The C-Files” (C for Conservative) where I collected articles that I found of interest. I’ve been home this past weekend, and in the midst of looking for something, anything, to look at around my old room to distract me from late-night studying for finals, I stumbled upon the old C-Files. In it is a document entitled, “The 10 Cannots.” I don’t know who originally wrote them, and I can’t recall from where I found this. But it is a great, boiled-down, simple explanation of the views of fiscal conservatives. So here they are, the 10 Cannots:

1. You cannot bring prosperity by discouraging thrift.
2. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
3. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
4. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
5. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
6. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
7. You cannot further brotherhood of men by inciting class hatred.
8. You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
9. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence.
10. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

Enjoy. I’ll add more interesting stuff from the Files when I find something worthy of posting.