Thomas Jefferson

Started by AlfredDrake, December 12, 2014, 07:32:04 PM

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AlfredDrake

Thomas Jefferson said that the government that governs least governs best.  Does that mean that the government that doesn't govern at all governs perfectly?  If not, then how much?  Is it defined in the Constitution including all the amendments?  Does it include Article I Section 8 giving Congress the right to establish post roads and post offices?

daidalos

#1
Jefferson like many of the founders felt that individual liberty and freedom, is a good thing, and something which if not guarded against, government will always seek to curtail and suppress.

Jefferson believed, (rightly so) that the more individual liberty, freedom and personal responsibility a society has, the less government it needs.

And know what, as Obama and his fellow dims exemplify, as other historical examples show, he and his fellow founders were right

If given the chance government, even a "democratic one" (hate it when our Republic is called a democracy pet peeve rant over) such as ours, will always seek to accumulate power to itself, even if it has to do so, at the expense of the rights of it's own citizen's in order to do so.

Interestingly enough, many history profs, and most public schools won't tell their student's that there is a difference between the two.

Because they want to hide the fact that when discussing Jefferson and the ideology he and his fellows ascribed too. That the "kind" of Democrat Jefferson was, is NOT the same political animal as the Democrats we see today.

They both might be called "Democrats" but that is where the similarity just about ends.

What the "Democrats" of Jefferson's day were.

Politically, and ideologically, were more akin to our Tea Party really, or maybe the more conservative members of the GOP than the "Democrat's" of today.

The Dims of today are ideologically and politically more akin to the Third Reich of WWII or the Soviet model post WWII.

More so than a "Democrat" of Jefferson's era.

:cool:

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AlfredDrake

Quote from: daidalos on December 13, 2014, 04:51:58 AM
Jefferson like many of the founders felt that individual liberty and freedom, is a good thing, and something which if not guarded against, government will always seek to curtail and suppress.

Jefferson believed, (rightly so) that the more individual liberty, freedom and personal responsibility a society has, the less government it needs.

And know what, as Obama and his fellow dims exemplify, as other historical examples show, he and his fellow founders were right

If given the chance government, even a "democratic one" (hate it when our Republic is called a democracy pet peeve rant over) such as ours, will always seek to accumulate power to itself, even if it has to do so, at the expense of the rights of it's own citizen's in order to do so.

Interestingly enough, many history profs, and most public schools won't tell their student's that there is a difference between the two.

Because they want to hide the fact that when discussing Jefferson and the ideology he and his fellows ascribed too. That the "kind" of Democrat Jefferson was, is NOT the same political animal as the Democrats we see today.

They both might be called "Democrats" but that is where the similarity just about ends.

What the "Democrats" of Jefferson's day were.

Politically, and ideologically, were more akin to our Tea Party really, or maybe the more conservative members of the GOP than the "Democrat's" of today.

The Dims of today are ideologically and politically more akin to the Third Reich of WWII or the Soviet model post WWII.

More so than a "Democrat" of Jefferson's era.

:cool:
Jefferson believed, (rightly so) that the more individual liberty, freedom and personal responsibility a society has, the less government it needs.

I agree.  The discussion I'm looking for here is the following:  If we are all completely free to do whatever we want without any regard to anyone else, that's anarchy.  So it seems to me that the more personal responsibility people have  to the society they live in, the less government they need.  I might like your car, but I can't just take it.  To live in a society I need to be responsible and not steal your car.  If everyone in the society was responsible like that, we wouldn't need a law against stealing cars.  But we're not likely to live in that Utopia any time soon, so back to my question.  What is the appropriate level of government?  Whatever it is, it's not what we have now --agreed.  What is it?  Is it the Constitution as it stands today?  Then we never need to amend it again.  If not, then it's a living document that may need to have something put in it and other things taken out.  I'm looking for help here.  I want all the freedom and liberty I can have and still live in a complex society where you can have all the freedom and liberty you want.  How do we do that?


AlfredDrake

Ok, I think my question has already been answered below.  I'll have to think more about this discussion.

zewazir

Of note is that Thomas Jefferson was, essentially, an anti-federalist. He was of the opinion that the Constitution was not needed; that a few relatively minor modifications to the Articles of Confederation would have been adequate to address the problems the fledgeling nation was facing, the worst of which was getting the individual states to cooperate more with each other in the face of mutual distrust. Jefferson did not take part in the Constitutional Convention, being in France at the time, though he did correspond with several of the delegates to the Convention and is noted to have had some significant influence. When appointed to be Secretary of State under Washington, Jefferson conflicted frequently with Hamilton, who was then Secretary of Treasury as to the role and authority of the newly founded federal government. In fact, Jefferson was a primary influence in the formation of the Democratic-Republican party in 1792, which was formed to oppose the federalization taking place under Hamilton's guidance in the Treasury Department. Hamilton, together with a number of influential bankers and businessmen, formed the Federalist Party in 1794.

The Federalist Party won the first round on points when Adams defeated Jefferson in the election of 1796. Under the original wording of the Constitution, this meant Jefferson, the second-place candidate, became Vice to a presidency he did not support. The major political difference between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans came to a head when Adams invoked the Alien and Sedition Acts, a move which seemingly justified Jefferson's stance on the dangers of too much federal authority. Jefferson defeated Adams in the election of 1800. Jefferson was unsuccessful in convincing congress to repeal most of the authority-growing legislation enacted under Washington (as influenced by Hamilton and his banker buddies) and Adams. If fact, Jefferson is criticized by a number of historians as somewhat of a hypocrite, with Jefferson's use of federal authority in commerce by signing the Embargo Act of 1807.

But in the end, there is little doubt that Jefferson was a major proponent in keeping the majority of governmental authority within the states themselves, and holding the federal government to minimal roles of national defense, interstate transportation, international relations, and, when needed, general mediator between the states.

AlfredDrake

Quote from: zewazir on December 14, 2014, 03:16:35 PM
Of note is that Thomas Jefferson was, essentially, an anti-federalist. He was of the opinion that the Constitution was not needed; that a few relatively minor modifications to the Articles of Confederation would have been adequate to address the problems the fledgeling nation was facing, the worst of which was getting the individual states to cooperate more with each other in the face of mutual distrust. Jefferson did not take part in the Constitutional Convention, being in France at the time, though he did correspond with several of the delegates to the Convention and is noted to have had some significant influence. When appointed to be Secretary of State under Washington, Jefferson conflicted frequently with Hamilton, who was then Secretary of Treasury as to the role and authority of the newly founded federal government. In fact, Jefferson was a primary influence in the formation of the Democratic-Republican party in 1792, which was formed to oppose the federalization taking place under Hamilton's guidance in the Treasury Department. Hamilton, together with a number of influential bankers and businessmen, formed the Federalist Party in 1794.

The Federalist Party won the first round on points when Adams defeated Jefferson in the election of 1796. Under the original wording of the Constitution, this meant Jefferson, the second-place candidate, became Vice to a presidency he did not support. The major political difference between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans came to a head when Adams invoked the Alien and Sedition Acts, a move which seemingly justified Jefferson's stance on the dangers of too much federal authority. Jefferson defeated Adams in the election of 1800. Jefferson was unsuccessful in convincing congress to repeal most of the authority-growing legislation enacted under Washington (as influenced by Hamilton and his banker buddies) and Adams. If fact, Jefferson is criticized by a number of historians as somewhat of a hypocrite, with Jefferson's use of federal authority in commerce by signing the Embargo Act of 1807.

But in the end, there is little doubt that Jefferson was a major proponent in keeping the majority of governmental authority within the states themselves, and holding the federal government to minimal roles of national defense, interstate transportation, international relations, and, when needed, general mediator between the states.

We talk about the Founding Fathers in hushed tones and the constitution as a nearly sacred document.  Were the Federalists Founding Fathers and were the Articles of Confederation more sacred?  Was the constitution a redo to make the system work or the result of a conspiracy?

Solar

#6
Quote from: AlfredDrake on December 14, 2014, 03:35:26 PM
We talk about the Founding Fathers in hushed tones and the constitution as a nearly sacred document.  Were the Federalists Founding Fathers and were the Articles of Confederation more sacred?  Was the constitution a redo to make the system work or the result of a conspiracy?
Who's this "WE" shit? By that statement, you assume responsibility for other posters, always speak for yourself "Only" when posting.
And I suggest you study the Federalist Papers first.
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zewazir

Quote from: AlfredDrake on December 14, 2014, 03:35:26 PM
We talk about the Founding Fathers in hushed tones and the constitution as a nearly sacred document.  Were the Federalists Founding Fathers and were the Articles of Confederation more sacred?  Was the constitution a redo to make the system work or the result of a conspiracy?
Dunno about you, but I talk about the Constitution, and the Founding Fathers, both Federalist and Anti-Federalists, in a clear, firm, and, if necessary, loud manner.  The Constitution was written in response to the fact that the nation under the Articles of Confederation was rapidly falling apart. There were those who desired to patch up the deficiencies in the Articles, but the faction which believed a new start was preferable won the prevailing opinion. "Conspiracy"?  Since the Constitutional Convention was proposed above board, and all the state legislatures were invited to appoint and send delegates to represent the interests of each respective state, then it must have been the most open conspiracy in history.

There are those, like Thomas Jefferson, who were of the opinion that the Constitution ended up granting too much authority to a single central government. Other prevailing opinions worried that rights and liberties were not adequately protected, and the ratification of several of the states, including Virginia, the home of Jefferson, were contingent on the passage of a bill of rights.

Today, there are also some who hold to the opinion that the Constitution allowed too much federal authority at the cost of states rights and individual liberty. Others opine that such would not be the case if the limitations of federal authority were actually being practiced. Personally, I fall more into the second group, though I also believe that had I been an adult at the time of the Constitutional Convention, I likely would have been an anti-federalist.

AlfredDrake

Quote from: zewazir on December 14, 2014, 05:02:28 PM
Dunno about you, but I talk about the Constitution, and the Founding Fathers, both Federalist and Anti-Federalists, in a clear, firm, and, if necessary, loud manner.  The Constitution was written in response to the fact that the nation under the Articles of Confederation was rapidly falling apart. There were those who desired to patch up the deficiencies in the Articles, but the faction which believed a new start was preferable won the prevailing opinion. "Conspiracy"?  Since the Constitutional Convention was proposed above board, and all the state legislatures were invited to appoint and send delegates to represent the interests of each respective state, then it must have been the most open conspiracy in history.

There are those, like Thomas Jefferson, who were of the opinion that the Constitution ended up granting too much authority to a single central government. Other prevailing opinions worried that rights and liberties were not adequately protected, and the ratification of several of the states, including Virginia, the home of Jefferson, were contingent on the passage of a bill of rights.

Today, there are also some who hold to the opinion that the Constitution allowed too much federal authority at the cost of states rights and individual liberty. Others opine that such would not be the case if the limitations of federal authority were actually being practiced. Personally, I fall more into the second group, though I also believe that had I been an adult at the time of the Constitutional Convention, I likely would have been an anti-federalist.

Thank you for your response.  I appreciate your understanding of history and your honest answer.  It's well written and reasoned.  I wrote papers in favor of Jefferson vs. Hamilton  50 years ago, and would be an anti-federalist as well.  I sometimes post what I think are thought provoking questions just to see who's thinking and who's not.  I also like to go back to first principles.  You can trace the same line of thinking to Hobbes vs Locke.   Cool stuff, thanks again.

AlfredDrake

Quote from: Solar on December 14, 2014, 04:27:54 PM
Who's this "WE" shit? By that statement, you assume responsibility for other posters, always speak for yourself "Only" when posting.
And I suggest you study the Federalist Papers first.

Sorry.  I was actually thinking about people I know in general. In no way would I pretend to speak for the people on this forum.

zewazir

Quote from: AlfredDrake on December 14, 2014, 08:37:24 PM
I sometimes post what I think are thought provoking questions just to see who's thinking and who's not.  I also like to go back to first principles.  You can trace the same line of thinking to Hobbes vs Locke.   Cool stuff, thanks again.
You want what I, at least, consider a thought provoking question?

Had federalism NOT prevailed and grown stronger over the first 160 years of U.S. history, resulting in the United States of America that existed ca. 1941, would we have been strong enough as a single nation to defeat the Axis powers in WWII?

TboneAgain

Quote from: zewazir on December 15, 2014, 11:10:33 PM
You want what I, at least, consider a thought provoking question?

Had federalism NOT prevailed and grown stronger over the first 160 years of U.S. history, resulting in the United States of America that existed ca. 1941, would we have been strong enough as a single nation to defeat the Axis powers in WWII?

That may be an interesting question, but it necessarily hinges on the outcomes of dozens of other questions. Some are obvious, e.g. would we have had a Civil War? Or a Great Depression? Some are less obvious, but just as important, e.g. would we have been involved in any way in World War I? To speculate what might have happened in WWII -- or whether WWII even would have happened -- after you posit a fundamental alteration of 160 years of our history is... fantasyland? It reminds me of trying to write a script for the old show "The Time Tunnel."
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. -- Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; IT IS FORCE. -- George Washington

daidalos

Quote from: AlfredDrake on December 14, 2014, 03:35:26 PM
We talk about the Founding Fathers in hushed tones and the constitution as a nearly sacred document.  Were the Federalists Founding Fathers and were the Articles of Confederation more sacred?  Was the constitution a redo to make the system work or the result of a conspiracy?
No, it's not whispers or "hushed tones", it's just that those of us who are not liberal socialists, talk about the Founders with respect, when we speak of them.

As for the Constitution being "nearly a sacred document".

The Constitution is NOT "like" a sacred document.

It IS THE sacred document, within the legal judicial system as it is the highest law of the nation.

One of every five Americans you meet has a mental illness of some sort. Many, many, of our veteran's suffer from mental illness like PTSD now also. Help if ya can. :) http://www.projectsemicolon.org/share-your-story.html
And no you won't find my "story" there. They don't allow science fiction. :)

AlfredDrake

Quote from: daidalos on December 16, 2014, 10:20:40 AM
No, it's not whispers or "hushed tones", it's just that those of us who are not liberal socialists, talk about the Founders with respect, when we speak of them.

As for the Constitution being "nearly a sacred document".

The Constitution is NOT "like" a sacred document.

It IS THE sacred document, within the legal judicial system as it is the highest law of the nation.

Sorry, I had just read the following from Tomas Jefferson (a founding father who I admire very much):

" Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.  They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment." Letter to H. Tompkinson 1816.

And,

"I am certainly no advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions.  I think moderate imperfections had better be born with; because, when once known, we accommodate ourselves to them and find practical means of correcting their ill effects.  But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind.  And as that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manner and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times.  We might as well require a man to wear still the coat fitted to him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."  Letter to H. Tompkinson 1816

Could he be calling it a living document?


Solar

Quote from: AlfredDrake on December 17, 2014, 05:01:40 PM
Sorry, I had just read the following from Tomas Jefferson (a founding father who I admire very much):

" Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.  They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment." Letter to H. Tompkinson 1816.

And,

"I am certainly no advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions.  I think moderate imperfections had better be born with; because, when once known, we accommodate ourselves to them and find practical means of correcting their ill effects.  But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind.  And as that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manner and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times.  We might as well require a man to wear still the coat fitted to him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."  Letter to H. Tompkinson 1816

Could he be calling it a living document?
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