Reply #13: He DID believe in free college - I do like that, otherwise most of the rest is freeperville. [View All]

The rest of this looks like a lot like an email from a freeper.

Actually, there's NOT a lot here that I agree with:

>1. He favored states rights over a strong central government. He supported the idea that states could nullify federal laws (nullification).

I'm against this. States rights has been an excuse for slavery, as well as responsible for the horrid public education in the Southern states. There are many, many issues which each of the States can not control - air pollution, FCC, for example. Everywhere I see "states rights" I see a place I don't want to live and the poor and unlucky suffer.

>2. He was a strict constructionist - he favored a literal interpretation of the Constitution.

I don't care for this at all. Sounds religious to me. A "literal" interpretation is, paradoxically, open to interpretation, and it offloads the responsibility from making sound, logical arguments.

>3. He wanted a smaller government with very little intervention in daily life.

I don't know WHAT THE FUCK "intervention in daily life" is suppose to mean except for the freeper credo: lower taxes.

>4. He opposed tariffs.

Well, I, like most of the other framers, support tariffs - I'd like to see more of them.

>5. He saw the country as a "nation of farmers." A simple land with simple, peaceful needs.

This is a great vision if you're a wealthy farmer, I suppose.

B. Jefferson's Domestic Changes

>1. Tried to cut down costs of government wherever possible

Lowering taxes, hmm.. I see a theme forming here... I don't want government cut. I want it to be EFFICIENT.

>2. Reduced the size of the army

Well, I'm all for that. 1 out of 10 ain't bad.

>3. Halted expansion of the navy

Ibid. Wonder what he would say about the air force?

>4. Lowered expenses for government social functions

You mean like education and healthcare? Completely disagree there... I know he created a totally free university, however. Wonder how many agreeing with the rest of this would think THAT'S a good idea?

>5. Wanted to simplify the government's financial affairs and to tear down Hamilton's financial program

Ahhh - that magic freeper words - simplify and financial all in the same sentence. Ding! Ding. I know - FairTax!

C. Jefferson's Foreign Policy

>1. Wanted to follow Washington's foreign policy of neutrality.

When a little bit of our help can help stop genocide? No. I like what we did in World War II... I think the idea is to do the right thing at the right time, rather than live by some ideology...