another great quote from a personal favorite.

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   sooner than laterposted 15 years ago

   "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government
   From wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
   
   Thomas  Jefferson

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      Ron Montgomeryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      This philosophy apparently did not apply to the slaves on Jefferson's plantation.
      
      Much of what Jefferson said was indeed brilliant and inspiring, but it is all tainted by his personal and public failure to deal with the issue of slavery.

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      1. 60

         sooner than laterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         He spent most of his time securing the future of America-  suppose the issue of slavery was being fought on many levels- oh thats right, it was.

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         1. 59

            Ron Montgomeryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            At what level was he doing so?  He made calculated political decisions that ensured the long-term survival of slavery in the South.
            
            I would also argue that "most" of his years were spent at his plantation; securing his own future.  He reluctantly returned to politics (the reluctance was much to his credit) under pressure from Madison.

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            1. 60

               sooner than laterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

               I wish all those fat welfare slugs could be my slaves. I'd make sure there wasn't an invasive tumble weed in all of AZ again. "might as well do something while you are doing nothing"

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2. 60

   Doug Hughesposted 15 years ago

   "These revenues will be
   levied entirely on the rich, the business of
   household manufacture being now so established
   that the farmer and laborer clothe
   themselves entirely. The rich alone use imported
   articles, and on these alone the whole
   taxes of the General Government are levied.
   The poor man, who uses nothing but what
   is made in his own farm or family, or within
   his own country, pays not a farthing of tax
   to the General Government, but on his salt;
   and should we go into that manufacture also,
   as is probable, he will pay nothing. Our
   revenues liberated by the discharge of the
   public debt, and its surplus applied to canals,
   roads, schools, &c., the farmer will see his
   
   
   government supported, his children educated,
   and the face of his country made a paradise
   by the contributions of the rich alone, without
   his being called on to spend a cent from his
   earnings. * —
   To General Kosciusko. Washington ed. v, 586.
   (M. 1811)
   
   Yes, Thomas Jefferson wrote some great political philosophy. He absolutely believed in protecting the working man from excess taxes, and had no fear (and he was a rich man) of calling for the yoke of taxation to fall on the rich for the benefit of the average guy.

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3. 69

   Flightkeeperposted 15 years ago

   
   
   Sooner, don't let them manipulate you by distracting you from your original message.  I think Jefferson's quote is very true, look at what's happening in Europe.  But the moronic left will throw all sorts of distractions.  Nobody seems to notice that it is the leftoids that are rioting in Canada.  Everyone's so poor nowadays that the leftoids can't bum any weed from anyone and are upset.

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   1. 60

      sooner than laterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      so true. good to see you again.

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