[Fish out of Water]

I think this view of Jefferson is a little pessimistic. He would marvel that America is now the Worlds lone super power. He would look at the life styles of the Average American and how they had improved. He would be amazed that not only are Blacks no longer slaves, a proposition he would approve of; but they have essentially blended into society, something he could never imagine.

Jefferson would be proud that our system of Government was still operating and the people mostly in charge. He would take a look at the Internet and the free exchange of ideas and know that Americans are essentially free.

Sure we have problems and our Government has over reached in many areas, but the success of America would prove that the system works.

Since he was willing to exceed what he recognized as his constitutional authority in order to make the Louisiana Purchase; he would understand how the original intent could be adapted.

Before anybody takes me wrong, let me say that I am a libertarian and know our country could be better with a lot less Government. I am also an optimist and a pragmatist. Jefferson would see both the good and the bad. Things are better than they might have been but not as good as they could be.

[toenail]

And then I'd take him down to the abortion clinic and show him what our "right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" has come to. I'd take him to a sensitivity seminar. Take him to jails and prisons to show him people in cages for nothing more than having marijuana in their possession. Take a trip to the Klamath Basin. Let him sit in on some public "education." See if he can dead-lift the tomes of federal regulations. Explain the Federal Reserve Board to him. Yeah, this is freedom.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Are you measuring success and happiness by material wealth?

[GeronL]

of course he and his went to war over tax rates being much lower. We have no real representation anymore... House districts have too many people.

[Angelique]

I think some of your optimism is handled in the piece:
Jefferson is curious about everything and has a number of questions for you. He marvels at all the new technology in your home. He insists on a lengthy explanation and demonstration of all the appliances and machines in your home.

I somewhat agree that he would be pleased to hear that we are the "World's lone super power," but I do not think he would be amazed. Remember, our Founding Fathers believed they had created the greatest new form of government that would endure.

Perhaps Hamilton would not have been so outraged with the encroachment of the Federal Government, but I can assure you that Jefferson would have reacted just as described. As Walter Williams often states, our sytem of taxation is tantamount to taking our paycheck and handing 40-50% to a perfect stranger. I really think we have run out of excuses for allowing what our Federal Government has done to us.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Bravo!