"The property of this country is absolutely concentred in a very few hands, having revenues of from half a million of guineas a year downwards... "
"I am conscious that an equal division of property is impracticable. But the consequences of this enormous inequality producing so much misery to the bulk of mankind, legislators cannot invent too many devices for subdividing property, only taking care to let their subdivisions go hand in hand with the natural affections of the human mind. Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions of property in geometrical progression as they rise. Whenever there is in any country, uncultivated lands and unemployed poor, it is clear that the laws of property have been so far extended as to violate natural right. The earth is given as a common stock for man to labor and live on."
2007-10-03 12:38:56 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
ANSWER: THOMAS JEFFERSON
"As soon as I had got clear of the town I fell in with a poor woman walking at the same rate with myself and going the same course. Wishing to know the condition of the laboring poor I entered into conversation with her... She told me she was a day laborer at 8 sous or 4d. sterling the day: that she had two children to maintain, and to pay a rent of 30 livres for her house (which would consume the hire of 75 days), that often she could no employment and of course was without bread. As we had walked together near a mile and she had so far served me as a guide, I gave her, on parting, 24 sous. She burst into tears of a gratitude which I could perceive was unfeigned because she was unable to utter a word. She had probably never before received so great an aid. "
--Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, October 28,1785. ME 19:17, Papers 8:682
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=967
2007-10-03 12:47:10 · update #1
And even in his day, Jefferson was a true liberal...generous with *HIS OWN* money.
2007-10-07 05:39:58 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harpo Marx
2007-10-03 19:42:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Thomas Jefferson -
Absolute must read: http://www.americandaily.com/article/20485
Edit:
Actually I may retract and question the claim that it was Thomas Jefferson. I can only find ONE (1) link attributing this to him. When there is only one link, revisionism pops into my mind.
Ok, I have found more. It was Jefferson.
Now what?
2007-10-03 19:42:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Karl Marx
2007-10-03 19:42:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do wish more did know their history better.
Too many still believe that Thomas Jefferson was christian when TJ's own words say otherwise..
And having read nearly everything he ever wrote, its very very obvious he was not christian.
Shoot he didnt even consider the bible 'the word of god'.
2007-10-04 17:09:35 · answer #5 · answered by pcreamer2000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thomas Jefferson.
Even in his time the problem of the rich controlling everything was a problem.
2007-10-03 19:41:59 · answer #6 · answered by Villain 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Jefferson
Thanks for that question! I wish more Americans knew their American history.
2007-10-03 19:53:42 · answer #7 · answered by ideogenetic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Karl Marx!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-10-03 19:48:34 · answer #8 · answered by Vagabond5879 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'll guess marx?
2007-10-03 19:43:47 · answer #9 · answered by White 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
JIMMY CARTER!!
2007-10-03 19:48:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋