Biographical Narrative: Thomas Jefferson
Biographical Narrative: Thomas Jefferson
The Declaration of Independence is a symbol of the birth of this nation, but also of the constant struggle to achieve its ideals. Ideals like “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”, the unalienable rights of the United States. The document also states that “it’s the right of the people to abolish it and institute a new government” whenever the government becomes destructive of the unalienable rights. I think it’s safe to say that Thomas Jefferson didn't just intend for the document to be read for the people to follow through with its words. However there is no mention of slavery or black people, or even women for that matter, on this primitive statement on the equal rights of man, and it makes me wonder, how can a man who himself held slaves write with such incredible passion about human rights and liberation in the promise of a democratic republic. Many libertarians adore Thomas Jefferson. Why not? There are hundreds of libertarian friendly quotes you can pull from his essays and letters. But did he act upon these sound principles when he was given the power? Jefferson was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase. By way of executive order, Jefferson authorized this purchase without congressional approval. As Jefferson stated himself on the matter, he "stretched the Constitution until it cracked.” This set a bad president by an executive using his power which was in no possible way enumerated in the Constitution. Another point to be made on this, was that Jefferson didn't pay the indians for the territory, instead, he paid for France's illegitimate claim to this land which was in reality owned by the indians. As a result, American settlers rushed into the new territory and killed any who stood in their ground and forced countless more to be pushed farther out of their land. What is happening now with the economy and many innocent families being forced out of their homes because of their inability to pay is a
The Declaration of Independence is a symbol of the birth of this nation, but also of the constant struggle to achieve its ideals. Ideals like “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”, the unalienable rights of the United States. The document also states that “it’s the right of the people to abolish it and institute a new government” whenever the government becomes destructive of the unalienable rights. I think it’s safe to say that Thomas Jefferson didn't just intend for the document to be read for the people to follow through with its words. However there is no mention of slavery or black people, or even women for that matter, on this primitive statement on the equal rights of man, and it makes me wonder, how can a man who himself held slaves write with such incredible passion about human rights and liberation in the promise of a democratic republic. Many libertarians adore Thomas Jefferson. Why not? There are hundreds of libertarian friendly quotes you can pull from his essays and letters. But did he act upon these sound principles when he was given the power? Jefferson was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase. By way of executive order, Jefferson authorized this purchase without congressional approval. As Jefferson stated himself on the matter, he "stretched the Constitution until it cracked.” This set a bad president by an executive using his power which was in no possible way enumerated in the Constitution. Another point to be made on this, was that Jefferson didn't pay the indians for the territory, instead, he paid for France's illegitimate claim to this land which was in reality owned by the indians. As a result, American settlers rushed into the new territory and killed any who stood in their ground and forced countless more to be pushed farther out of their land. What is happening now with the economy and many innocent families being forced out of their homes because of their inability to pay is a