Our Government
The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.
Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.
I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves without a master.
quotes from Thomas Jefferson
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Definition of Democracy
Democracy [Gr.,=rule of the people], term originating in ancient Greece todesignate a government where the people share in directing the activities of thestate, as distinct from governments controlled by a single class, select group, orautocrat. The definition of democracy has been expanded, however, to describe aphilosophy that insists on the right and the capacity of a people, acting eitherdirectly or through representatives, to control their institutions for their ownpurposes. Such a philosophy places a high value on the equality of individuals andwould free people as far as possible from restraints not self-imposed. It insists thatnecessary restraints be imposed only by the consent of the majority and that theyconform to the principle of equality.
(from infoplease)
from Thomas Jefferson's first Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801:
"During the contest of opinion through which we have passed, the animation ofdiscussion and of exertions has sometimes worn an aspect which might impose onstrangers unused to think freely and to speak and to write what they think; but thisbeing now decided by the voice of the nation, announced according to the rules ofthe constitution, all will, of course, arrange themselves under the will of the law,and unite in common efforts for the common good. All, too, will bear in mind thissacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, thatwill, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights,which equal laws must protect, and to violate which would be oppression. Let us,then, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to socialintercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itselfare but dreary things. And let us reflect that having banished from our land thatreligious intolerance under which mankind so long bled and suffered, we have yetgained little if we countenance a political intolerance as despotic, as wicked, andcapable of as bitter and bloody persecutions."
