Thom Hartmann: Thomas Jefferson's 3 Greatest Fears

[Salvysahagun]

“I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution…. Taking from the federal government the power of borrowing.”

[Jefferson, Thomas, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, (New York, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1896), p. 310.]

Go home Hartman

[ChefEarthenware]

This guy has no understanding of Jefferson. I'm surprised to see this kind of thing on RT.

Opinion is one thing - but this guy is trying to twist history to suit his own prejudices.

[Salvysahagun]

@ChefEarthenware Omg I really want Ron Paul to debate him on Jefferson

[iyequertu54]

this guy knows his U.S. history

[troykool14]

Thomas Jefferson more of a libertarian view. He stated, "I think myself that we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious." I think Jefferson would be appalled at today's parasites: 1) The Welfare State 2) The Military-Industrial complex 3) Corporate Cronyism 4) The corruption of the Federal Reserve Bank 5) The expanding Police State, among others. Mr. Hartmann complains only of #s 2 and 3 above.He supports the others

[troykool14]

Jefferson also stated, "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

Mr. Hartmann twists the views of Jefferson in an attempt to justify Hartmann's false conclusions. The reality is that the establishment of both major parties are corrupt and contribute to our ever expanding fascist state.

[troykool14]

Jefferson also said, "To take from one because it is thought that his own industry and that of his father’s has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association—the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it." The problem today is corporate fascism, not "rich" individuals who earned their wealth through honest industry.

[troykool14]

Jefferson himself said, "The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits. No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another, and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him."

Mr. Hartmann has twisted the libertarian views of Jefferson to serve his FALSE conclusion that somehow the Democratic party is where the answers are. The truth is that neither party would be acceptable today

[mchenrydems]

@ChildrenOfMenTrailer --Yes, but it's now called the Democratic Party. The lineage is direct.

[Justanotherhuman2]

Thom, I'm so sorry I can no longer your Radio Show : (. Thanks for doing this Youtube.

[wateryskipper]

thom you are truly a brilliant teacher

[wrussell87]

The Republicans owe their allegiance and political survival to billionaire corporations but so do the Democrats, just as much if not more so than the Republicans. The healthcare bill? What better bill to pay back your corporate buddies than to federally mandate every citizen buy their product? Jefferson was not a liberal and not a democrat, nor was he a republican. He was a champion of limited government, which neither the Democrats or the Republicans are.

[JiveDadson]

The conclusion is bizarre. The Democrats are no better than the Republicans.

[JiveDadson]

The 17th Amendment has turned out to be a disaster. With the States having no direct representation in the legislature, the Federal government has been able to put rings in the noses of the States, by taxing the people, and giving the money to the States only if they bow to Federal mandates.

[djfreak123]

This is an absolutely outstanding video.

[truevoice08]

I don't believe in subsidies for the rich but I'm also opposed to the welfare state. Bill Clinton once wanted to 'end welfare as we know it' on the realization that its creating a society of dependents and criminals. He didn't have the guts to do the job. The GOP is also the same. They only use free market rhetoric to push statist policies favoring big business.

[celainea]

Great History lesson Thom. Hope most people listen, & if they don't believe, will actually take the time to read for themselves.

[rileysmurf]

Put your hands down you freak!

[LibertaerUeberAlles]

Great points! Thomas Jefferson is considered by some to be a Left Libertarian, due to some of his views on land utilization.

One thing is for sure, he would have wanted us to finally End the Federal Reserve!! No more money monopoly!!

[gulbirk]

@LibertaerUeberAlles Did you bother to read some of the next lines he wrote?

What do you want to DO with the FED? Socialise it? Replace it? Yes, ending it is literally to just replace it.

[ddnguyen278]

Supreme Court sold out America, what's the big deal. If you can scrape together the billions dollars needed, you too can buy American politicians.. don't have the money? Tough..

[MadXMax187]

I just wish we had a modern day Thomas Jefferson to lead a new party, I guarantee if he was alive he wouldn't be happy with the democrats of today, the cruise missile genocide loving hypocrites who want to take away our 2nd amendment & freedom of speech & destroy freedom on the internet. Not saying democrats are evil, but Obama is center & right THOMAS JEFFERSON WILL ROLL IN HIS GRAVE IF YOU VOTE FOR OBAMA, A REAL ORWELLIAN NIGHTMARE for a president. Cruise missiles & DU for peace.

[nsx1com]

@MadXMax187 - I think what you are saying is that the Democrats are not left enough (leaning too far to the right?) For the most part, I am progressive. I say most part because I am very conservative when it comes to the Bill of Rights (i.e. 2nd amendment, etc.) Our founding fathers created a Democratic Republic (protecting individual rights). But today, the rich want socialism (bail-outs) for the wealthy, but Capitalism for everyone else. I fear we are moving toward a true Revolution.

[MadXMax187]

@nsx1com Yea that's basically where I stand I am a progressive libertarian or a political atheist as Gerald Celente would call it. I probably lean more to the left than the right but the false left/right paradigm as got to go. It does nothing but divide people when most of them agree on some of the more basic issues that are neglected by both parties. We need a way out of this two party dictatorship.

[MadXMax187]

Another 'Thom shell' video, love it when he goes through history..

[g1981c]

Jefferson the man !

[Cabronosidad]

Anyone else laughing at the irony of a RUSSIAN TV STATION teaching Americans their history?

[silveristhenew]

the real issues aren't Dems or Repubs - Its BOTH. Both are problematic in the way they are bought and paid for. Jefferson would have seen this.

[DonSSanders]

Thank you Thom!

Every American should know this story by heart. The corruption of governent by big corporations is at the core of most of our financial problems...spending is not the problem, corporate rape of the people is. Personally I am still angry...225 years later at Hamilton for being a shill and sell out...he was just another poor boy dazzled by rich parties and grand estates. BTW: the 2nd amendment really is about militias NOT private gun ownership. private gun ownership was a given

[troykool14]

@DonSSanders . Corruption of government by (some) big corporations is only part of the problem. Corruption of government by ANY special interest that prevents the government from protecting individual rights is the problem. This means the government is too big. The government should not be involved in redistribution of wealth (Welfare State) or cartelization of banks (Federal Reserve) or entangling alliances (Warfare State) or picking winners and losers in the market (Crony Capitalism).

[canubelieve]

And the democrats aren't just as corrupt? The are ALL ass clowns.

[paradigm918]

"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country."

Thomas Jefferson

Apparently, Jefferson didn't manage to blow out all of his birthday candles....

[Graham6762]

Jefferson knew 8 languages and was a genius. He hated central banks and wanted everyone to own guns to insure against government tyrannies.

[wildreams]

@Graham6762 Times are different.. Owning firearms doesn't stop tanks, helicopters and nukes.. Just saying.

[bonnevie9]

The corporate states of america . Enjoy ! For now on I am going to give every working person I know a spinning backfist when they say they are a conservative and vote republican .

[rickbar123]

Earth to Tea Baggers, Earth to Tea Baggers, Come in Tea Baggers, Earth calling all Tea Baggers....................are you getting this ????