Is Thomas Jefferson a Prophet or Irrelevant?

If you’ve been a steady reader of this blog, you know I preface every new article with a relevant quote. But today, I go all out. A friend e-mailed me a group of Thomas Jefferson quotes from two centuries ago that seem prophetic given today’s economic mess. I’d like to pass them on for you to consider as we watch how politicians are spending our money.

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”

“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.”

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”

“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”

“To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”

Very Interesting and Timely Quote:

In light of the present financial crisis, it’s interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”

Sober thoughts from a former President. Let me know if you agree that these quotes should be required reading for members of Congress?

Or do you just think Thomas Jefferson, one of the country's founders, is now irrelevant?

(Brian Banmiller is a national Business Correspondent for CBS News Radio, free lance writer and public speaker. The former television business news anchor in San Francisco can be reached at brian@banmilleronbusiness.com .)