Posted on 11/30/2005 2:10:58 PM PST by Jo Nuvark
Thomas Jefferson 3rd President (1801-1809)
Periodic revolution, “at least once every 20 years,” was “a medicine necessary for the sound health of government.”
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.
We confide in our strength, without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it.
Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.
Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.
All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to ... remain silent.
Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.
It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it.
I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
This is obviously true, as can be seen by the success of the policy as applied in Africa and Latin America.
This is year 19, isn't it?
I believe Jefferson was one of the ones who thought that a constitutional convention every generation was the way to go.
Jefferson's generation was rather fond of using the word revolution for non-violent departures from the past.
I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic about Africa and Latin America. Surely Mexico could use a good restructuring. It's just that sometimes you need to just hit "reset".
His 20 year comment gave me an interesting idea on how to make it happen: You have an elected body meet every 20 years that can't spend a dime or pass any law but can fire any government employee, repel any law and stop any spending. Since this is essentially the opposite of what Congress does now and pro is the opposite of con I'd call this once only every 20 year body the "Progress".
Repel should be repeal.Opps
[...non-violent departures from the past...]
If Jefferson were here today would he reset/rescind Social Security, Abortion, Income Tax, Salary for elected officials (other than executive branch and Judiciary), term limits for Supreme Court?
That... "Depends". LOL
[...20 year "Progress"...]
There are a lot of bright people on this thread. Are you running for office?
Seriously... The Bible has the year of Jubilee every 25 years where everything goes back to its original owner or is "reset". We've got a house of cards built on top of a lot of cr*p that needs to be cleared away. Like New Orleans, it needs to be leveled or they are buiding on a layer of decay.
[..."Politicians, like diapers, need to be changed often...
Often for the same reason."...]
That "Depends"! LOL!!!
Hi Thoughtomator... I don't know what you are trying to say... "this is year 19, isn't it"?
Good to hear from you.
Beautiful home page. Wonderful pix.
A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun.
While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind.
Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind.
Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks.
Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to his nephew
In reference to periodic revolutions.
And to think Jefferson was a Democrat!
You mean, we should change the structure of our government as often as Italy and France do?
Sorry, I don't but the "revolution every 20 years" bit, even if it's non-violent revolution. Jefferson said a lot good stuff, but also a number of stupid things. That particular quote is among the latter.
[...Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks...]
Shhhh. Don't tell the millenium Democrats. They can't handle the truth.
Jefferson had a point. It wouldn't be a bad idea for the states to revisit the Constitution every generation, if only to debate the amendments, intent, and meaning.
It would also provide an object lesson to state legislatures that they are sovereign legislatures, in sovereign states, subject to Federal jurisdiction in very narrowly defined areas.
Jefferson was a big one for State and Individual empowerment. The two biggest dangers to our liberty are that the states would give up their powers to the Federal government, and that individuals would give up their liberties to either governments.
I'm pretty happy that Canada is throwing out their liberal, avaricious government... in a non-violent revolution. Jefferson was talking about throwing out a corrupt government, not the constitution. And incremental ratification of existing entitlements doesn't count. I'm advocating a full on, knock down, drag out, reset.
[...And to think Jefferson was a Democrat!...]
It is not hard to agree with Jefferson. He is so practical. PRACTICALITY and REASON... that's what is missing from our leaders. Do these guys know how to read?
Thomas Jefferson was one of the 19th Century's Universal Men along with my mentor Goethe. Did you know that Jefferson is the Father of Modern Archeology. Just ask Schliemann who found Troy after 3000 years!!
More importantly, Jefferson was a "Thinker". He understood that each Generation must place its imprimateur on our government so that it can be fresh and dynamic.
Presient Jackson would establish the National Bank in 1839. Abraham Lincoln would lead the country through the Civil War. If you look at the 20 year cycle the Industrial revolution in the 1880s the Spanish American War and the Globalization of the US's power in 1900 are examples. Jefferson could not provide the laws and regulations for the Telecommunications Revolution which has spanned the 20th Century from Alexander Bell to Bill Gates but each succeeding generation can.
"Think About It"
PERIODIC REVOLUTIONS: Kuhn, Thomas Samuel 1922–1996.
American philosopher and historian best known for his work The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962), in which he challenged the view that the history of science is a smooth and cumulative process, arguing instead that scientific change occurs through “revolutions” in which one paradigm of inquiry and explanation is replaced by another.
[..If you look at the 20 year cycle the Industrial revolution in the 1880s the Spanish American War and the Globalization of the US's power in 1900 are examples...]
I think the "macro" revolution is evident. But without an an equal "micro" revolution, we will snap like an old rubberband due to stress and corruption.
Same here... It wouldn't hurt if our legislators had to do the same after taking their oath of office.
In fact, it would be interesting to have a tradition of legislators having to write papers and give speeches on their interpretation of the Constitution, our history, and the intent of the Founders.
I like the idea of a periodic "Constructionist Review" of our legislators. After all they take an oath to uphold the constitution. New citizens know more about Democracy than public school students. Public school students become legislators. Hmmmm. Maybe Arnold should be allowed to run for President. Doh! Not a good idea. Imagine OBL running, or Zarquawi. Bad thought. Baaaaad thought.
2007 The year before the great hi jacking of America amazing after Obamas Election Revolution is a scarce word and an even scarcer commodity if you think a tea party is going to make them listen and OBEY you better just have a seat and drink the tea your tossing cause it aint gonna work...
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