The following quote is an excerpt from a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to a Francis Hopkinson on March 13, 1789. The emphasis is supplied by me.
“You say that I have been dished up to you as an anti-federalist, and ask me if it be just. My opinion was never worthy enough of notice to merit citing; but since you ask it, I will tell it to you. I am not a federalist….What I disapproved from the first moment also, was the want of a bill of rights, to guard liberty against the legislative as well as the executive branches of the government; that is to say, to secure freedom in religion, freedom of the press, freedom from monopolies, freedom from unlawful imprisonment, freedom from a permanent military, and a trial by jury, in all cases determinable by the laws of the land.”
At the time this was written, a federalist was one who was a supporter of a central government, which was in the works of being formed through the drafting of the United States Constitution. Thomas Jefferson was involved in the creation of the bill of rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Contrary to popular belief, the bill of rights is not a list of rights one gets from the government. The bill was added to the Constitution in order to put a limitation on the power of the central government to intrude on what was accepted as the natural rights of man in the wake of the fact that the Constitution was not first accepted by a majority of the colonies since they didn’t want a central government. After all, they had just fought a revolution to get away from one.
What is worth noting is that Jefferson intended for the bill of rights to include amendments restricting the central government’s involvement in commerce (freedom from monopolies), and hosting a standing army (freedom from a permanent military). How ironic that these two subjects have defined the role of the central government since the early 20th century with the establishment of the Federal Reserve (a monopoly) and the first world war, which began right after the Federal Reserve was established.
The following chart shows that there is now a generation of Americans coming of age who have never known a time of peace. This is the fruit of a permanent military. After all, a permanent military is a permanent expense that requires permanent war in order to pay for it.
Fortunately, the tide is turning. The creation of decentralized assets like Bitcoin are providing a freedom from monopolies like the Federal Reserve. And, the emerging of people like Adam Kokesh in the political realm are giving voice to a practical, and systematic withdrawal from the necessity of a central government. Whether people are willing to be involved in these things is up to them. The good news is: Freedom doesn’t require the approval of the majority. As Thomas Jefferson has also said, “One man with courage is a majority.”
Love the post. I have for some time compared the anti-federalists and Libertarians. The Jefferson quote is amazing. Here is another from an anti-federalist, Mercy Otis Warren
“There is a certain supineness which generally overspreads the multitude, and disposes mankind to submit quietly to any form of government, rather than to be at the expense and hazard of resistance. They become attached to ancient modes by habits of obedience, though the reins of authority are sometimes held by the most rigorous hand. Thus we have seen in all ages the many become the slaves of the few; preferring the wretched tranquility of inglorious ease, they patiently yield to despotic masters, until awakened by multiplied wrongs to the feelings of human nature; which when once aroused to a consciousness of the native freedom and equal rights of man, ever revolts at the idea of servitude.”
Since this is day 8 for this post I didn't upvote, but I will reply to your comment. Mercy Otis Warren is not a name most people know and that is a long quote, but I like it. I also enjoyed reading this article and one problem with Steemit.com is content creators only get paid for the first seven days, which I get it, but there should be a way to earn after the seven days.
You can send Steem directly to another user's wallet anytime.
nice post. am really inspired by this
Thanks for sharing the quotes.nice post!
What an insanely scary chart.
And I agree, having the ability to live outside of the influence of a government is perfect.
A decentralised society could very well be an amazing society to experience.
The more I read, the more I want to remove myself from the control of things like banks and governments. I dream of going all in on the blockchain and having very limited exposure to thinks like Fiat currency.
really very interesting article .... very beautiful
Jefferson had more wisdom than the whole of the world governments combined... in the last 200 years!
thank you for sharing your knowledge and information. and I love the way I see Thomas Jefferson and am amazed by his words Thomas Jefferson "One man with courage is the majority." this is a great post. @timothyb
Great post... I said thatPost of the Day
Thanks for sharing such a most informative post on here steemit @timeothyb
Through discipline comes freedom. ~ Aristotle
Woot woot 43.9 🤘🏼✔️
Thank you have shared additional information
Never saw a chart like that before....scary to see, I can't see it not being all black from now on.