fredag 31 juli 2009

Jag läxar upp Thomas Jefferson

Här är en uppgift från min litteraturkurs i USA. Citatet skrev läraren på tavlan och sedan var det upp till oss att reagera. Här läxar jag upp Thomas Jefferson.



"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."

- Thomas Jefferson


It is amazing to me how this quote matches the modern capitalists' opinion regarding taxes. The reason for taxation is always to give the government, which is representing the people, the ability to work for the good of everyone.

Of course, not everyone thinks that the government handles its money properly and spends too big amounts on the wrong things.


"...wasting the labours of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." This part shows clearly that Jefferson believed in capitalism. Like most other capitalists, he obviously did not believe that the people can provide and elect a government that truly represents the people (because, the people themselves would never waste their own labors and the government is the people), nor did he seem to believe in putting money together to care for those who need to be taken care of.

Which is the purpose of taxation.

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