The only reason this quote isn't at a 10 with its fancy freedom tree (how does one refresh a tree, really?) is because TJ is saying what everyone else already knows: sometimes you just gotta rustle the government's feathers. Pretty much any obscure Founding Father quote sounds crazy pretentious-especially if the quote is not particularly profound or insightful. If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10. Timothy McVeigh, who carried out the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, had a favorite T-shirt with this quote on it. But not at hippie reunions-they're too busy blissing out on their brownies and chanting "make love, not war." You'll find this mostly on T-shirts and political manifestos, or at NRA conventions. When Jefferson was president, he stomped on these kinds of tantrums like the Hulk squishing a spider, especially when Americans were caught smuggling their apple pies to countries on his naughty list. But, like the common cold, political flip-flops are nothing new. Jefferson thinks a bloody tantrum every so often is an okay thing to keep rulers aware of and responsive to their people. It's a potluck thing with potato salad and lemonade. So you have an armed neighborhood rebellion. A lot of neighbors are feeling the same pain. No one's listening and you're not gonna take it anymore. LegislatureActionTyranny Founding Fathers 'To take a single step beyond the boundaries specially drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible to definition.' - Thomas Jefferson Us ConstitutionPossessionFields 'I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man. You protest to the politicians but they go home for recess. Around 1785, that same government that didn't pay you takes away your livestock and your land because you can't pay your taxes-bummer times two. You survive the war and go home penniless. You're in a battle, but have holes in your boots, no fingers for your gloves, no food in your belly, and no money from your boss, which happens to be the government. This line was written by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Col. "It is the duty of the patriot to protect its country from its government.Patriotism Freedom Society Change Thomas Jefferson Historical Documents Politics History War Context "It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority." "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God" "It is the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins." "When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles every other correction is either useless or a new evil." The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be under the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." President James Madison "I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. "If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be under the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." "The means of defense against a foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home." "If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." "Guard against impostures of pretended patriotism." "Overgrown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to liberty." Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." "Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. "Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." "When the people fear the government, there is tyranny when the government fears the people, there is liberty." "Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day." "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." A few quotes by the Founding Fathers on the threat of tyranny.
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