WWJD? What Would Jefferson Do?

Roderick T. Beaman / Ether Zone:
In The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "...Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed..." The American War for Independence had just begun a little more 14 1/2 months before he wrote that. That excerpt is telling and each word and phrase should be contemplated. It's obvious that Jefferson wants the reader to know that the action of that Congress was not a rash one, arrived at in the heat of the moment. No, the colonies had endured a host of abuses and could endure them no longer. Jefferson also, tellingly, observes that people tend to bear the indignities that are heaped upon them. It is an observation of human behavior that rings true today from that great hall in Philadelphia down our history to us today. It is obvious that the abuses of our American government and our state capitals far outstrip any were being heaped upon us by King George III.

Posted by Editor at May 12, 2008 04:28 AM