One would think, that a deliberate and practical denial of its authority was the only offence never contemplated by government; else, why has it not assigned its definite, its suitable and proportionate, penalty? If a man who has no property refuses but once to earn nine shillings for the State, he is put in prison for a period unlimited by any law that I know, and determined only by the discretion of those who placed him there; but if he should steal ninety times nine shillings from the State, he is soon permitted to go at large again.

My interpretation of this quote is that there is no time limit for a person who doesn't intentionally defiant to the regulations of authority. If a person steals there is a certain jail time that stated by law, that is to be served and then the person is free to repeat the same act. However, if a person should deny paying their taxes to the government the jail time is based on the discretion of the person that placed them there. This should not be because if regulations are placed for only some things, then it should be placed for all. This paragraph is related to the theme of civil disobedience because it shows how Thoreau is politically protesting as he is refusing to comply with the law. I chose this passage because I believe it is unethical for a person to reside in a state, not contribute to it and is protesting against it.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

My interpretation of this quote is that before any bill is passed, it has to go through the president first. Once it is approved it will be signed and be made into a law. However, if it is rejected by the President, it is returned to the house that it came from and the reasons as to why it was objected. It has to be reviewed again with two thirds of that house agreeing for the bill to be passed. Once it is agreed upon, it is presented to another house along with the objections, which also reconsiders it. If both houses agree, then this bill is made into a law. 

I chose this quote because it opened my eyes to something I didn't know about. I also found it very peculiar that people take the time out to vote for a President to be our leader among us, however, if a bill is rejected by him, it can be made into a law after being reviewed and voted upon by two houses. Also, if it is not signed and returned by the President within a certain time period, it is automatically made into a law. I do not like the idea of that because a leader should be the sole person to make decisions for a country. 

The fourth division of the anti-slavery movement is, the “Liberty Party”—a
small body of citizens, chiefly in the State of New York, but having
sympathizers all over the North. It is the radical, and to my thinking, the only
abolition organization in the country, except a few local associations. It makes a
clean sweep of slavery everywhere. It denies that slavery is, or can be legalized.
It denies that the Constitution of the United States is a pro-slavery instrument,
and asserts the power and duty of the Federal Government to abolish slavery in
every State of the Union. Strictly speaking, I say this is the only party in the
country which is an abolition party....The Liberty Party, by its position and
doctrines, and by its antecedents, is pledged to continue the struggle while a
bondman in his chains remains to weep. Upon its platform must the great battle
of freedom be fought out—if upon any short of the bloody field. It must be
under no partial cry of “no union with slaveholders;” nor selfish cry of “no
more slavery extension;” but it must be, “no slavery for man under the whole
heavens.” The slave as a man and a brother, must be the vital and animating
thought and impulse of any movement, which is to effect the abolition of
slavery in this country. Our anti-slavery organizations must be brought back to
this doctrine, or they will be scattered and left to wander, and to die in the
wilderness, like God’s ancient people, till another generation shall come up,
more worthy to go up and possess the land.

In this passage, the author is stating that the Liberty Party is the only group that not only fought for slavery in there state but all over. This party also stood up for what they believed in which was no more slavery. The Liberty Party did not believe in slavery because to them, slavery did not exist.  The Liberty Party was also considered the Abolition Party. Also, the party was hopeful that the livelihood would be carried on from generation to generation so that it won't fade or die out. This relates to the theme of civil liberty because it had to be fought for and made as a law that protects one from government actions. It was not a basic right that was implemented, it had to go through the constitution and be made into a bill.

I chose this quote because a lot of times people tend to not fight for their rights and stand up for what they believe in. Henceforth, because of that, voices are not being heard and the government has control over us. We have to continue the legacy of our ancestors to carry out our civil liberties and rights so that our voices will be continued to be heard.

"A majority of Americans (56%) believe that government is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses, while 39% hold the view that government should do more to solve the nation's problems. Responses to this question have been quite fluid over the two decades in which Gallup has asked the question. In October 2001, in the aftermath of 9/11, 50% said government should do more to solve the country's problems -- the highest in Gallup's history of asking the question. Sentiment that government should do more was lowest in the 1995-1998 time frame, when only about a third held this view and about 6 in 10 said government was doing too much."

       The meaning I received from this passage is that Americans will complain and talk about all the negative impacts the government has on society, but in times of trouble or need, society will look to that same government for help. This is reflected in the survey which shows that when asked if the government is doing too much,  more that 50% of Americans would agree. However, since 9/11 Americans views have changed and they are looking for the government, they had no confidence in, to do more. 

       I chose this passage because the people in society should not be so negative towards the government because they have the power that governs our everyday living. Although it is hard for Americans to believe that the government is always looking out for the society's best interest, we need to support our government and not only look to them for help, only when the country is in trouble to solve the problem. It is important for society to support our government (although Americans might not agree on everything they do) because if we don't support them, who else will?