Freedom is unlikely to be lost all at once or openly, it is far more likely eroded away bit by bit amid glittering promises and expressions of noble ideals. Thus hard-earned freedoms for which many have fought and died have now been bought and sold for words or money, or both.
Thomas Sowell
Quest for Cosmic Justice
The above quote was taken from Chapter 17 (Cosmic Justice Versus Democratic Freedom) of his book “Quest For Cosmic Justice“. In the chapter, Thomas Sowell talks about the erosion of the 10th amendment, the dwindling of state rights and right to self-governance vis-a-vis expansion of the federal government’s reach.
If you want to get the book, I recommend getting the audiobook instead of the actual book itself if are a busy person. It is an extremely long book.
