” government SHOULD fear the people.”
Exactly. That’s why Tom Jeff is my favorite founding father. He knew politicians in the future deserve to get tarred and feathered.
I grew up a big fan of Jefferson. I have the Dumas Malone series and other books on him. Over time much of my fanboy attitude changed! The more I read about Thomas Jefferson particularly in regard to his role in the first administration the less I came to like him. His actions while a member of Washington’s administration was very disloyal. I’ll pick one example - Citizen Genet. There are others. He ran the opposition to Washington (Yes Washington had political opposition!) from his SOS position.
The US K12 system schools you to hold Jefferson in uncritical esteem. The public school system views as the most pro-democracy of the Founding Fathers. That’s because the word “democracy” is only understood now by its modern meaning - almost as a sacred word. Most of the Founders had a very distinct different view.