In this time of what seems like infinite political corruption, this age of electronic voting booths, this era of signing statements, it's hard sometimes not to feel as though you are not swimming through a treacly sea, constantly feeling that downwards pull, flailing wildly but unable to gain traction, gain a hold on some surface that will keep you stable, never mind that you want to climb higher; sometimes equilibrium is all that seems possible. But see if you can find a ledge for a minute. Have a sit down. My only idea here's just to talk a bit about Thomas Jefferson, and cheer you up a bit, if you're not feeling so good. Hope it works.
More over the fold.
I don't think I'm alone when I say that sometimes I turn to the words of the Founding Fathers for solace. In particular, I've always found the words of Thomas Jefferson to be comforting and inspiring. (No denigration to the rest of the chaps, Washington, Madison
et al. They deserve their own diaries. In fact, they've probably already got them. But I digress.) Lately, however, they appear to have taken on the quality of prophecy. To whit, many of the things Jefferson said about government (and especially bad government) seem to apply, uncannily, to the present situation. Now I accept that Jefferson had seen bad government in his time, but nevertheless I find it hard sometimes to dismiss the thought that he knew the present situation would come about and did his best to arm us with the requisite words to defend against it.
That's probably wishful thinking, I know. But I'll put out a few examples together with why I think they apply in the present day, and see what you think.
When you fear a theocracy:
I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology.
- in a letter to William Short, United States Minister Plenipotentiary to France from 1790 to 1792
When corporatism leaves you cold:
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.
- in a letter to George Logan, November 12, 1816
When you don't think terrorists 'hating our freedoms' should infringe yours:
I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.
- in a letter to T.M. Randolph, May 30, 1790
The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave. - in a letter to Richard Rush, October 20, 1820
If the deficit's not to your taste:
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
- in a letter to French philosopher Destutt de Tracy, 1820
If sometimes you feel that your family and friends don't understand:
One man with courage is a majority.
- UPDATE: This may not have been said by Jefferson, but by Andrew Jackson. At any rate I can't source the quote. Oh well. I still like it.
If you don't want to get your war on:
War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.
- This is generally attributed to Jefferson, but again I have been luckless in finding the source.
If you're not too fond of Joe Lieberman right now:
Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.
- in a letter to Tench Coxe, May 21, 1799
And so on, indeed. You've probably read those before, but I thought they were worth repeating. I'd like to know your favourite one and why. But lastly, just to prove he wasn't infallible:
Delay is preferable to error.
Perhaps he never went to Texas. Ah well :)