An economics, investment, trading and policy blog with a focus on Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). We seek the truth, avoid the mainstream and are virulently anti-neoliberalism.
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Monday, May 27, 2013
Thomas Jefferson on popular sovereignty and democracy
"I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are our dependence for continued freedom."
Jefferson, a proponent of decentralization of control — what is now called the principle of subsidiarity — basically proposes organizing on the foundation of direct democracy using the model of the New England town meeting, dating from colonial times.
It must also be remembered that Jefferson was down on govt debt at the time since the US was on the gold standard and was export dependent. Govt had to borrow from the wealth to fund itself.
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. Thomas Jefferson [bold added]
Yep. It appears Mr. Jefferson had a gold-standard mentality. Someone should have taken a Tally Stick to his understanding of money?
A fabulous letter! Jefferson could write! I'm only halfway through but came upon this:
ReplyDelete"But follow principle, and the knot unties itself." Thomas Jefferson
Indeed it does. Conversely, the lack of principles, such as the lack of ethics in purchasing power creation, has created an enormous, tangled mess.
It is a great letter.
ReplyDeleteJefferson, a proponent of decentralization of control — what is now called the principle of subsidiarity — basically proposes organizing on the foundation of direct democracy using the model of the New England town meeting, dating from colonial times.
It must also be remembered that Jefferson was down on govt debt at the time since the US was on the gold standard and was export dependent. Govt had to borrow from the wealth to fund itself.
I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the
ReplyDeleterich, 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. Thomas Jefferson [bold added]
Yep. It appears Mr. Jefferson had a gold-standard mentality. Someone should have taken a Tally Stick to his understanding of money?
Time to sign Warren Mosler's petition. -
ReplyDelete