Founding Fathers on Charity, Wealth Redistribution, and Federal Govt.
Posted by foospro86 on November 24, 2007
“When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.”
-Benjamin Franklin
“To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it.”
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Joseph Milligan, April 6, 1816
“A wise and frugal government … shall restrain men from injuring one another, 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.”
-Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801
“Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.”
-Thomas Jefferson
“When all government, domestic and foreign, in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated.”
-Thomas Jefferson to Charles Hammond, 1821. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, (Memorial Edition) Lipscomb and Bergh, editors, ME 15:332
“The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.”
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to E. Carrington, May 27, 1788
“The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If ‘Thou shalt not covet’ and ‘Thou shalt not steal’ were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society before it can be civilized or made free.”
-John Adams, A Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, 1787
James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, elaborated upon this limitation in a letter to James Robertson:
“With respect to the two words ‘general welfare,’ I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators.”
In 1794, when Congress appropriated $15,000 for relief of French refugees who fled from insurrection in San Domingo to Baltimore and Philadelphia, James Madison stood on the floor of the House to object saying, “I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.”
-James Madison, 4 Annals of congress 179 (1794)
“…[T]he government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.”
-James Madison
“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the general welfare, the government is no longer a limited one possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one subject to particular exceptions.” James Madison, “Letter to Edmund Pendleton,”
-James Madison, January 21, 1792, in The Papers of James Madison, vol. 14, Robert A Rutland et. al., ed (Charlottesvile: University Press of Virginia,1984).
“An elective despotism was not the government we fought for; but one in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among the several bodies of magistracy as that no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectually checked and restrained by the others.”
-James Madison, Federalist No. 58, February 20, 1788
“There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”
-James Madison, speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 16, 1788
See more at http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/quotes.html
bodhi1 said
This is a great post. I added it to my del.icio.us account and will use it for future articles, including the one I’m writing about the general welfare clause.
Nice work.
Charles said
Unfortunately, most (all?) of the checks and balances built into the Constitution were destroyed by the unCivil War which, among other things changed a verb. Before the war, the reference was “…these United States are…” Afterward, the reference became “…the United States is…”
Woodman said
The Preamble to the US Constitution actually reads,
“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
PROVIDE for the common defense and PROMOTE the general welfare. Allot of people believe that it reads “provide the general welfare”. Provide and promote are two different things.
foospro86 said
Thanks to the 3 of you for your comments. I agree whole-heartedly.
Why wouldn't this be a good idea? - Page 6 - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum said
[...] the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government. -Thomas Jefferson The Founding Fathers on Charity, Wealth Redistribution, and Federal Government __________________ For no man may rise up To enslave any other Made free by Design of our God [...]
Tom Mullen said
It has always been laughable to me that the Democrats claim to be “the party of Jefferson,” given Jefferson’s condemnation of wealth redistribution. Excellent quotes in addition to my favorite! (To take from one…)
J. Karl said
Thomas Jefferson was the original republican (small ‘R’). The only reason some on the left claim him is for his “wall of separation” statement. When it comes to individual responsibility; states’ rights; individual freedom; free enterprise; and the abilty to protect and accumulate personal wealth, there’s no question Jefferson is much closer to the Republicans of today than he is to the socialist/Marxist Democrat Party. No question.
dissenting voice said
you’re all goofy. How absurd that you feel you can stretch a founding father’s quote and try to align them with your way of thinking. Common theme is that you’re all selfish…nobody gets anything from me, dammit! Democracy means winners and losers by it’s very nature, doesn’t it? (see, Thomas Jefferson…or was it John Adams(?)said so!), and if you’re on the short end of the stick…too damn bad! Should have known better than to be born poor! What’s wrong with you? You don’t deserve health care! Or retirement! Or food! Or education/hope of a better life! Sanctity of human life? You betcha! So long as it doesn’t cost me anything. No interest in the common good? Aren’t we all entitled to some basic human needs? Or do you agree that we all are entitled to a reasonable life, as long as it’s not on your dime? It’s all about money (I’ve got it – you don’t, and don’t even think about touching mine) isn’t it? Remember the story of stone soup…all were hungry, all contributed, all ate and were satisfied. Or Good King Wenceslas (must have been a good guy…had a song written about him and we’ve been singing it for a few hundred years…or was that a socialist weenie plot to subvert the real America, too? Talk about that with your kids around the tree this Christmas). Well, delude yourselves all you want, but all we have in this world is each other, and I’m hoping that if and when I need help, there’s someone there to give it to me.
johnf said
First of all, with your attitude of entitlement and hatred for those who have, you don’t stand much of a chance at winning friends and influencing people to help you when your down and out. Secondly,it seems that you are deluded by the notion that haves have because they are somehow lucky and or dishonest. This is a chimerical idea by and large and you are selling your self way too short. I think you show potential to be a have by the mere fact that you can read and write. I think you lack courage and drive. These are the things, when coupled with the freedom to act and keep the fruits of ones labors that produce winners. Your attitude produces bitterness and divisiness as well as losers and hatred toward all who refuse to let you demand from them those things which they rightfully earned by their own industry. Surely you are not saying you are too stupid and unambitious to achieve a good and decent life in a free country with limitless opportunity. I don’t imagine that you think ALL haves are of such a superior intellect that you stand no chance of equaling their achivements or surpassing them even, do you? You sound so bitter and hate filled it is truly a sad thing. I know of no “haves”, personaly that refuse to help less fortunate persons, but denegrating us is in no way a good tactic for achieving your goal of recieving a handout if you need it. I would oppose helping you based on your arrogance and hatred for me and others you have never even met. I like helping people who are good people and NEED help but are expiriencing a hard time beyond their control. If you can help yourself and refuse to or are too lazy to set and achieve goals and a happy life, I am un interested in doing it for you. Why don’t you move to cuba or venezuala? Oh yeah, that takes effort.
johnf said
“Well, delude yourselves all you want, but all we have in this world is each other”
It may be true that we have each other,it is also true that we can and should rely primarily on our own selves if there be no reason we can not. Look in the mirror next time you think about asking for a handout. Ask yourself if there is any way at all that you can do it on your own. If the answer be yes, then that is what you should do, for to do otherwise is an act of immorality that has limitless consequences. Do not start upon these slippery slopes of dependency for if you do, you will surely never be a real free person. To depend on others for your wants and needs is to live a life that is indeed litle more then a slaves existance. If your answer be no, then by all means, seek out a charity that will help you in your needs because in this country, you will find no shortage of goodwill as long as those who are capable of prodution and industry are free to persue thier own selfinterested ambitions. Good King Wencesles was acting in his own self interest when doing those acts of good will. Do you think for one second that if he derived no good feeling or satifaction for doing it he would have wasted one spare second on any of them? If you want to take your own advice, fall on your own sword and suffer all of the depravities and neglects of this life, saving the money that could be spent on someone who is appreciative and needy from being spent on you, and choc up your suffering to the greater good of your fellow man. Why not you suffer rather than someone else? If you do at least you will be consistant in your beliefs and practicing what you preach.
Shane said
First of all the US is NOT A DEMOCRACY IT IS A REPUBLIC. Second of all if you want to give away your belongings thats up to you, but you have no right to take from others whether they are more prosperous or not. Either way you cut it there are simple words we use to describe it “THEFT”, STEALING”, “LARCENY”. I could go on. Third us “Goofy” people have something called “Common Sense”. It tells us that the type of government that does not respect Property Rights is by definition Oppressive. It is simply not the governments job to take from one and give to another.
pat said
wow dissenting, you are on the wrong site. first off, your entire knowledge of a democratic system is childish and wrong. a democratic system is simply a form of government where the power rests in the hands of the people. since we are so large, however, having a town hall meeting and discussing issues isn’t practical so we elect representatives. also democracy isn’t win or lose, that’s what’s called a presidential system, a parliamentary system is different. so if your could, please think before trying to guilt trip people into believing your way. also you make it sound like all conservatives are hoarding their money and not giving it to anyone. the whole thing is ill give my money to people i care about, i dont want it going to some girl with a kid in new york or a lazy asshole in florida. my family was poor when i was born but my dad worked hard and risked alot to make money instead of sitting around bitching about being dealt a bad hand ( that would be you, marxist.) so how about you contribute your dimes and have your damn soup, ill go out, work hard, work long, put in extra effort, and hopefully be able to afford a steak.
Christi said
wow pat i completely agree with you. my dad lived in a tent when my mom was pregnant with my oldest sister and he worked his ass off and now owns his own successful real estate company. No one deserves everything for doing nothing.
Blue Collar Gal said
Pat & Christi,
I feel we are kindred spirits. My dad came from a poor family; raised on the wrong side of the tracks in Knoxville, TN. The things are he has told me many times how he never felt like he was poor. His grandmother worked hard cleaning other people’s homes, his grandfather worked for the railroad, and his Mom waited tables (really father unknown). It never occurred to him or his family that the government or “rich people” owed them anything. The value of faith, education, and hard work were the cornerstones for himself and his family then and today. He worked himself up from nothing and now he has passed on his construction company to my brother and me. The great thing about the U.S. is that it IS the land of OPPORTUNITY. Anyone of us can be ANYTHING we want to be if we are willing to put up the SWEAT EQUITY to make out dreams a reality. Dissenting Voice needs to put on his big boy panties, stop whining, and get over himself. Stop taking fishes from anyone offering one and learn how to fish for goodness sake.
This growing notion of entitlement and dependence on government is on the verge of bankrupting this entire country. What is not fair is the negative impact it will have on those of us who have worked hard to achieve our American Dream.
foospro86 said
Dissenting Voice, I didn’t “stretch a founding father’s quote and try to align them with your way of thinking.” I presented MANY quotes and they themselves state what the conservative position is. Just admit it, liberalism hates the Founding and all that it stood for.
strych909 said
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that all the people I’ve met who have come from poverty and worked hard to earn some money are conservative. Dissent, we would not need all these entitlement programs and people would be able to afford what they need if 25% (if around minumum wage, otherwise much more!)of their paycheck was not already given to the government on payday. If you think government can spend your money and run your life better than you, America is (or at least was) not the place for you. The Framers put THEIR LIVES and THEIR FORTUNES in jeopardy to create this Blessed Nation. They created a government that is undeniably conservative in nature; that is the LEAST amount of government intrusion into people’s lives as possible. This is their Nation, not ours.
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