Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Was Jefferson right?


Our founding fathers were incredibly gifted and guided. The picture above is from the battlefield in Gettesyburg VA, a short walk from where Linclon gave his address.



JFK once said to an assembled group of scholars in the White House, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House ... with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."



These Jeffersonian quotes below could prove JFK's point.





"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe."




"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."




"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."




"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."




"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."




"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."




"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."




"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."




And last, in light of the present financial crisis, it's interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:"Banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."
This would GREATLY discourage me to the point of depression were it not for the fact that I read stuff much older that assure me God has everything under His Absolute control. Things may get rougher for a while, but I took a peek at the end of the book. In spite of Satan's influences in history to get us here, it turns out very well for all those who are in Christ Jesus. If your feeling troubled today read Romans 8. It's all good!. Live loved! The Shack Discussion Guide, discussion guide for the shack, Paul youngs,

6 comments:

Doni Brinkman said...

Wow. I agree would be depressing if you didn't know the end of the story. God wins.

Ray and Janell said...

Where'd ya get that? ;-)

Todd and Kathy said...

Amen! It's got to get worse before it gets better. I found you through Amanda's blog. Hope you don't mind me stopping by:)
Kathy

Don Z said...

Ray, I found it on your site and went to the home page. Some really good stuff there. It was to good not to keep going. I also started it on an email forward. Thanks! I don't know how you guys find all this stuff but I am glad you do.

Aimee said...

Such wisdom. Sometimes I really wish I got the chance to live back then;).

Ray and Janell said...

I thought you might have found it there. :-) It's certainly cool with me ... I "share" stuff all the time. Good to get a phone call from you the other day. We should do that more often.