Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson, (1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President

Thomas Jefferson Quote

“I do verily believe that if the principle were to prevail of a common law being in force in the United States (which principle possesses the general government at once of all the powers of the state governments, and reduces us to a single consolidated government), it would become the most corrupt government on the earth.”

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson
~ Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson to Gideon Granger, 1800. 10:168

Ratings and Comments


J Carlton, Calgary

And that's why they wrote a Constitution of founding principles that was meant to limit Government powers. Now we have an imposter/usurper from Kenya undermining every principle that "was" America. Throw the bum out and Restore the Republic.

Mike, Norwalk

WOW how prophetic. The common law is a local application of natural law. It was to be the foundation of all applied legal and political tools (legislative, executive, judicial, codes, ordinances, regulation, rules, statutes, etc.) concerning each and every individual. It was considered a stretch for common law to extend to an entire State. Since each State had its own unique eccentricities (Maryland was mostly Catholic, Virginia had its large farms / plantations, etc.) the individual's lawful needs, wants, desires, expressions were all very different. There was no, nor could there be, a federal common law as the extension of the several States United had no authority to create crimes or deal, one on one, with the individual. All states now either relegate common law to an insignificant relic of the past with no real power (such as there is no true common law marriage recognized in any State any longer) or pass a rule eliminating it all together as though the States were god with omnipotent powers to exceed the laws of nature and of nature's god. Common law's definition has been reduced by carnal despots to an ever changing -most recent stari decises. Once the single body of States United expresses itself as an organic hegemony, dictating to the individual, as though there was a federal common law, it would become the most corrupt government on earth. WE ARE THERE ! ! !

Mike, Norwalk

J Carlton, well said, absolutely

jim k, Austin, Tx

Right on J Carlton, and when we throw him out next November we need to send some more of the bums packing.

E Archer, NYC

I am afraid this has already happened. It is not enough to vote from column A or column B. It is time for a Convention, to be called by 2/3 of the States. We the People must amend the Constitution to define the limits of our servant government more clearly. No more debt-as-money, no more undeclared wars by the President, no more prohibition/regulations of what people may ingest/grow/produce, and for goodness sakes, term limits for Congressman

Shakti Kirn Kaur, Lemon Grove, CA

I used to like thomas Jefferson, but not after this. I don't believe in States rights. I think there should be a strong Federal government, for the people and by the people. One Country, not 50 different units all vyying for their share of the pie.

BG, W
  • Reply
BG, W    11/25/11
J Carlton, Calgary

Shakti...you obviously don't "get" what America was supposed to be. And it isn't a leviathan all controlling, central planning, rights ignoring, crime cartel in some far off city making rules for us that they themselves are too good to observe. That's China, not America.

Mike, Norwalk

Shakti, you are obviously a plant from some government collectivist school. Besides knowing nothing of history or how cause and effect works, what do you think made the USA the freest, wealthiest (highest standard of living with by far the fewest poor). most charitable, most law abiding, greatest overall people, etc. on earth? AND, what do you think brought all that crashing down to make the USA one of the most despotic countries on earth ?

Judi, CA
  • Reply
Judi, CA    11/25/11

Let's see, The states have already lost the ability to protect themselves, because this regime will not enforce the laws, instead sues these states taking it upon themselves to protect. Secondly, this want to be dictator demands all things be controlled by them. And of course it has become the most corrupt government since Woodrow Wilson. This was Jefferson and the Founding Father's greatest fear for America's future.

warren, olathe

States rights does not a dictator make.

E Archer, NYC

Hey, Shakti, what share of what pie are you referring to? There is not supposed to be a 'pie' that all are vying for. What you are describing is indeed a corrupt consolidated government in which the people now vie for 'their fair share' of the plunder. If you don't believe in States rights, then you don't believe in individual rights either, only collective 'rights' to the proverbial pie -- which is other people's pie, not yours or the government's. What you are talking about is called totalitarianism.

Roddy, Groveland, FL

Hey Shakti, you are completely a moron. Go away.

Deborah, Twentynine Palms

A guy from Calgary and you're taking his word?? Now that the current administration has shown it's colors how ya likin' them apples. You've got a gang of thieve running the Government. They want nothing more to get as rich as they can in the amount of time they have and leave us with the ruins. Judi of CA, you're a joke, hope you enjoy the next 3 plus years, paying more taxes should you be in the 99%, the countless attacks on Healthcare which went down for the 3rd or 4th time, I'm losing count. I think the phrase "throw the bums out" is more appropo now than it ever was with the exception of the Teapot Dome Scandal, look it up and you'll be able to apply the exact same greed to what they're trying to do with Federal Lands and National Parks and Monuments designations.

@

Get a Quote-a-Day!

Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.