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Hamilton, in addition to being part of the triumvirate that wrote the Federalist, also wrote a treatis "On Manufactures," which dealt with the use of tariffs to protect American businesses, which would otherwise be destroyed by international competition. That's an ancient idea which has currency today.

The beginning of the American Republic has been described as "a contest between Jefferson and Hamilton for the soul of Washington." In many ways, the future of the Republic is the same. Neither Jefferson's nor Hamilton's ideas are sufficient by themselves. Hamilton is generally right; but Jeffersonian ideas are the necessary break and restraint on excessive Hamiltonianism -- as we have today.

Congressman Billybob

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Yes. Most people today have no idea how important Hamilton's ideas and writings were at the beginning of our Republic. His insistence on establishing the nation's good credit rating, no matter the short-term hardships, was one of the most important events in getting this country on sound footing.

Neither Jefferson's nor Hamilton's ideas are sufficient by themselves. Hamilton is generally right; but Jeffersonian ideas are the necessary break and restraint on excessive Hamiltonianism -- as we have today.

Good point. People lose sight of three things: 1) what's often taken to be the old order was largely a result of Jefferson's and Jackson's electoral victories, not of the ideas of the Framers, 2) Jefferson's views had as many problems as Hamilton's -- arguably we'd still be complaining if states had the kind of power Jefferson wanted and the federal government was no more than a weak league of independent commonwealths, and 3) once the Federalists had been vanquished, Jefferson and his fellow Republicans adopted or adapted many Federalist ideas and programs for their own use.

Jefferson wasn't a consistent libertarian, or state's righter or free trader or anti-industrialist. As with other politicians -- as with Hamilton -- the sense of the national interest sometimes overcame Jefferson's own political ideology.

Today's challenge is how to adapt Jefferson's decentralist vision to current circumstances without taking on all of the historical baggage associated with Jeffersonianism.

Hamilton, in addition to being part of the triumvirate that wrote the Federalist, also wrote a treatis "On Manufactures," which dealt with the use of tariffs to protect American businesses, which would otherwise be destroyed by international competition. That's an ancient idea which has currency today.

Yep. Jefferson was a Free Trader. Thank God Hamilton prevailed. Our nation became a superpower because of it. The deterioration we're experiencing today is in direct proportion to the mantra for Jefferson's free trade.