T Jefferson; democracy demands an educated and informed electorate

[bobbieinok]

This is why the current media disaster and the (mostly W and the republican) destruction of the public schools is so horrendous.

Some quotes from one source...

http://earlyamerica.com/review/winter96/jefferson.html



Jefferson, Education and the Franchise

by Professor Thomas Jewett

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." (as cited in Padover, 1939, p. 89)

". . . whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that, whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them right." (as cited in Padover, 1939, p. 88)



The above quotes were the cornerstones of Jefferson's interest in education and the franchise. He placed education as the foundation of democracy and a prerequisite to vote.

Ignorance and sound self-government could not exist together: the one destroyed the other. A despotic government could restrain its citizens and deprive the people of their liberties only while they were ignorant.

more....

don't the republicans believe in the importance of the views of the founding fathers anymore????

[K-W]

1. Silly Tom Jefferson, doesnt he know about social darwinism!

I mean seriously, if a person cant get educated themselves, whats the point of trying to help them?

Now if you will excuse me, I am going for a ride on my yacht.