Needless to say, we’ve used Thomas Jefferson to “make it rain” a few times in our day.
Today, it’s T.J.’s turn …
“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes.”
“I consider the fortunes of our republic as depending on the extinguishment of the public debt. If the debt should once more be swelled to a formidable size, its entire discharge will be despaired of, and we shall be committed to the career of debt, corruption and rottenness, closing with revolution.”
“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.â€
“I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are our dependence for continued freedom. And to preserve their independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude.”
“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
“Considering the general tendency to multiply offices and dependencies, and to increase expense to the ultimate term of burden which the citizen can bear, it behooves us to avail ourselves of every occasion which presents itself for taking off the surcharge; that it never may be seen here that, after leaving to labor the smallest portion of its earning on which it can subsist, government shall itself consume the residue of what it was instituted to guard.”
“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.â€
“A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.”
“To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”
“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties  than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.’”
How amazing is that?
A dude who’s been dead for almost 200 years understands our country better than anybody in Washington …
By Robert February 17, 2009 at 9:52 am
This one page of Jefferson’s quotes should be required reading of every member of the U.S. Congress.
By reprobate February 17, 2009 at 11:13 am
Unfortunately, the members of Congress seem only to read this guy:
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/k/karlmarx136396.html
By Pat Hendrix February 17, 2009 at 11:58 am
It would be better to quote Jackson’s opinions on the banks. Seems more relevant.
By Brandon February 17, 2009 at 12:03 pm
…closing with revolution.
By roofus February 17, 2009 at 2:11 pm
How much profit will George Soros make off of Mr. O’s “stimulus package?”
By Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo February 17, 2009 at 2:22 pm
We need some Alexander Hamilton quotes up in this piece!
By Pat Hendrix February 17, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I love quotes. This is the prediction for the economy after Clinton passed the Zero budget deficit package. Really funny.
They will remember who let loose this deadly virus into our economic bloodstream.
Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-GA), GOP Press Conference, House TV Gallery, 8/5/93:
I believe this will lead to a recession next year. This is the Democrat machine’s recession, and each one of them will be held personally accountable.
Rep. John Kasich (R-OH), 8/5/93:
Do you know what? This is your package. We will come back here next year and try to help you when this puts the economy in the gutter…
Rep. John Kasich (R-OH), CNN, 7/28/93:
This plan will not work. If it was to work, then I’d have to become a Democrat…
Rep. Robert Dornan (R-CA), 8/5/93:
The problem with our economy is that there is too little employment and too little growth. This plan will do nothing to improve that condition and will actually make it worse.
Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA), 5/27/93:
This is really the Dr. Kevorkian plan for our economy.
Rep. Thomas Ewing (R-IL), 8/5/93:
…This bill is a disaster waiting to happen.
Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN), 3/17/93:
…will stifle economic growth, destroy jobs, reduce revenues, and increase the deficit.
Rep. Phil Crane (R-IL), 3/18/93:
…a recipe for economic and fiscal disaster.
On jobs:
Rep. John Kasich (R-OH), CNN, 7/28/93:
…We have a stagnant economy and there is nothing down the road that makes it look like we’re going to have the kind of economic growth that puts people to work.
Rep. Dick Armey (R-TX), CNN, 8/2/93:
The impact on job creation is going to be devastating, and the American young people in particular will suffer a fairly substantial deferment of their lives because there simply won’t be jobs for the next two to three years to go around to our young graduates across the country.
Rep. John Kasich (R-OH), 5/27/93:
…your economic program is a job killer.
On interest rates:
Rep. Dick Armey (R-TX), 8/5/93:
The economy will sputter along. Dreams will be put off and all this for the hollow promise of deficit reduction and magical theories of lower interest rates. Like so many of the President’s past promises, deficit reduction will be another cruel hoax.
Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA), 8/4/93:
The simple fact is that the Clinton plan will not lower interest rates. It will not lower inflation. It will not create jobs. And it will no lower the deficit. The Clinton tax plan will spur inflation, lose jobs, increase the deficit, and hurt our economic growth.
On inflation:
Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH), 5/27/93:
The votes we will take today will not be soon forgotten by the American voter. [They] will lead to more taxes, higher inflation, and slower economic growth.
On the deficit:
Rep. John Kasich (R-OH), GOP News Conference, Senate Gallery, 8/3/93:
Come next year… we’re going to find out whether we have higher deficits, we’re going to find out whether we have a slower economy, we’re going to find out what’s going to happen to interest rates, and it’s our bet that this is a job killer.
Rep. Dick Armey (R-TX), CNN, 8/2/93:
Clearly this is a job killer in the short run. The revenues forecast for this budget will not materialize; the costs of this budget will be greater than what is forecast. The deficit will be worse, and it is not a good omen for the American economy.
Rep. Jim Bunning (R-KY), 8/5/93:
It will not cut the deficit. It will not create jobs. And it will not cut spending.
Rep. Dick Armey, CNN, 2/18/93:
I will tell you, this program will not give you deficit reduction. It will be a disaster for the performance of the economy.
Rep. Clifford Stearns (R-FL), 3/17/93:
…It will be the kind of impact that this country can’t absorb. It will slow economic growth, contribute to the massive federal deficit….
Rep. Joel Hefley (R-CO), 8/4/93:
…It will raise your taxes, increase the deficit, and kill over one million jobs.
By Trey February 18, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Next I suppose you will suggest the Bible is as timely today as it was 2000 years ago.