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Jefferson on Freedom: Wisdom, Advice, and Hints on Freedom, Democracy, and the American Way

Book by Thomas Jefferson · 3 quotes · Liberty, Government, Religious

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Jefferson on Freedom: Wisdom, Advice, and Hints on Freedom, Democracy, and the American Way Quotes

“In the legislature, the House of Representatives is chosen by less than half the people, and not at all in proportion to those who do choose. The Senate are still more disproportionate, and for long terms of irresponsibility. In the Executive, the Governor is entirely independent of the choice of the people, and of their control; his Council equally so, and at best but a fifth wheel to a wagon. In the Judiciary, the judges of the highest courts are dependent on none but themselves.”

“It is an axiom in my mind that our liberty can never be safe but in the hands of the people themselves, and that too of the people with a certain degree of instruction. This it is the business of the state to effect, and on a general plan.”