Walk the Walk

Jefferson often spoke of Liberty and Freedom and how it is secured by good republican government. He touched on this more profoundly in his first state of the union address that as been called the "Creed of our Political Faith." In this speech he lays out his philosophy as to how good republican government should function to secure liberty. I think actions speak louder than words and clearly Jefferson put into practice these principles of freedom. Lets take a look at what his administration accomplished in his first term as President which limited government and kept it within it's constitutional scope.

• Did without the land tax, excise tax, stamp tax and other internal taxes.
• Applied $7,300,000 a year to the public debt.
• Discontinued a great portion of expenses on the army and navy, but continued to protect our country and its commerce.
• Purchased a country as large and more fertile than the one we possessed before (Louisiana Purchase), without adding either a new tax or another solider.
• Preserved peace with all nations and created an equal friendship with two great rival powers, France and England.
• Maintained the credit and character of our nation in the highest degree it had ever enjoyed.
  

These are some of the major highlights that lead Jefferson to a sweeping victory to serve as President for a second term.

Wouldn't it be nice if today we could have a President that could say the same of their first term, that they: Reduced taxes, payed down the debt, cut unnecessary spending, secured our national interests in an honest and ethical manner, increased and maintained our credit and character on the world stage.

Thomas Jefferson should serve as a example to us all and to those in office that their first and foremost interests should be the constitution and the freedoms which it protects. No more special interests! No more out of control spending! No more abuses against the constitution! We will not stand for it!

Today we hear a lot of talk about reducing the deficit, downsizing government, etc., but that is all it seems to amount to is talk. We need public officials that will walk the walk and do as Jefferson did. They need to follow the constitution and the principles of freedom as Jefferson did or it will only lead to liberties being restricted and the loss of basic freedoms.