and that's why we have one hell of a gov't in Iraq?
2007-10-29 08:32:34 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
"That government is best which governs least."
http://www.geocities.com/peterroberts.geo/Relig-Politics/TJefferson.html
states that the quote is often mis-attributed to Thomas Jefferson. The original author is unknown, but the quote has been found in print since 1837. (Other often suggested attributions include Thomas Paine and Henry David Thoreau. see also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Disobedience_(Thoreau)#.E2.80.9CThat_government_is_best_which_governs_least.E2.80.9D )
As far as whether the quote is correct, here are some blog entries for either side of the quote:
http://pc.blogspot.com/2006/04/is-it-true-that-government-that.html
http://www.whereistand.com/11832
an Amazon Listmania of books on the subject: http://www.amazon.com/That-Which-Governs-Least-Best/lm/A71EQYDEOHT3
Basically, the size of the government doesn't really matter, but the ratio of what liberties they do (or do not) enforce compared to other legal issues...
2007-10-31 08:48:46 · answer #1 · answered by mrvadeboncoeur 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the asker was attributing the whole content of the question not only the Thomas Jefferson quote to Stephen Colbert. To answer the question I think the quote only works with a unified nation.
2007-10-29 22:29:38 · answer #2 · answered by Jared G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now Stephen Colbert is credited by you with a statement made 230 years ago? Man. I didn't realize he was that old. I believe that should be attributed to Thomas Jefferson. And yes, Jefferson was correct.
2007-10-29 08:36:11 · answer #3 · answered by booman17 7 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Hehe that was a funny line. Colbert is awesome!
2007-10-29 08:38:25 · answer #4 · answered by Dana1981 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't think he was the originator of that quote, but it's true.
2007-10-29 08:52:01 · answer #5 · answered by Richard S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋