Even dawn on you people...he owned SLAVES
2006-08-16 20:34:06 · 10 answers · asked by telluwhat 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
"The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time." so no atheist democrats then lol
2006-08-16 20:54:35 · update #1
Because he is the last person to give them anything to work with.
2006-08-16 20:38:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The reason anyone is quoted is because they are quotable. I didn't know that liberals always quoted Jefferson. The quote I've seen most of lately concerning civil liberties, is attributed to Ben Franklin. The fact that Jefferson owned SLAVES hasn't kept this nation from honoring him as a great leader. I hope you're not insinuating that there is something wrong with quoting one of the most eloquent men in our nation's history, a man who just happens to have written the Declaration of Independence. If that's what you intend, then you're messing in your own nest, Buster! Or maybe you're not from these parts, huh?
2006-08-16 21:04:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Owning slaves at the time was accepted and something practiced by many land owners and the well-to-do.
Here's a poor analogy but it will get the point across - alcohol and tobacco are legal but surely not good. Get the point?
Jefferson was clearly a progressive (as most liberals are), especially in the seperation of church and state (he vehemently opposed it[ the church meddling in government affairs, I should say]).
Just remember this (I'm going off on a tangent now) - what was liberal 50 years ago is now conservative today.
2006-08-16 20:49:04 · answer #3 · answered by umwut? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because he wrote the Constitution, which the conservatives are always claiming to uphold. In fact, conservative politicians take the same loyalty oath as liberals - to uphold the U.S. Constitution, written by a man who owned SLAVES.
Imagine conservatives upholding principles written by a SLAVE-OWNER, just like the liberals.
Funny, you forgot to mention the conservatives in your question. Be careful with that. Liberals might get the idea that you're biased.
2006-08-16 20:51:47 · answer #4 · answered by almintaka 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he didn't write the constitution, he wrote the declaration of independence. madison was credited for being the father of the constitution. but I think that was cuz he took such awesome notes. Jefferson gave birth to the document that gave birth to the nation. that's why. and he said something along the lines of ---The tree of Liberty needing to be nourished by the blood of Revolution every now and again.
2006-08-16 21:03:38 · answer #5 · answered by albany 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jefferson was a very erudite speaker for democracy it's easy to quote someone who expressed the democratic idea so well and with such insight.
2006-08-16 21:00:19 · answer #6 · answered by Jim C 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just because he didn't always practice what he preached doesn't mean he didn't preach well.
A well-written phrase, that conveys a concept with eloquence and depth, should be respected for the message it holds, independent of what you think about the speaker.
2006-08-17 05:44:22 · answer #7 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Notwithstanding the slaves, he was an important advocate of human rights. Conservatives (like me) should quote him too.
2006-08-16 20:41:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why are you so scared of TJ? Must be striking a nerve....
"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
2006-08-16 20:42:27 · answer #9 · answered by Mac Momma 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they could not quote themselves today.
2006-08-16 20:39:50 · answer #10 · answered by wacky_racer 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋