Thomas Jefferson Quote

"If the people let government decide
what foods they eat and what medicines they take,
their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state
as are the souls of those who live under tyranny."

by:	Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President
Source:	Paraphrased from Notes on Viriginia, Query XVII see: http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Thomas.Jefferson.Quote.F3B9
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Categories:	Drugs, Government, Health, Prohibition, Tyranny
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When we allowed our government to start medicaid and medicare, we are giving way for them to tell us how to stay healthy. Consider that they are into school breakfast and lunch programs and telling the schools what food to serve.  -- cal, lewisville, tx
Yep.  -- Mike, Norwalk
Yes cal and let's not forget the FDA.  -- Anon
And lets not forget CODEX. The legislation through which the Pharma gang wants to control all herbal and naturopathic medicine as well. They won't be happy until they are able to give or take everything you need. There's no money in healthy people and there's no money in dead people...so they want us all to be ill for our entire existence. And they get away with it because they are one of the biggest lobby's in Congress. Great system!  -- J Carlton, Calgary
J Carlton hit the nail on the head. There are busybodies all over the place telling you what you must and must not eat. Don't you dare eat anything with trans-fat in it and stay away from that awful movie popcorn or surely you will die. Stop eating anything that tastes good and you won't live any longer but it will seem a lot longer.  -- jim k, austin
Shallow and misleading. I bet good Tom decided what food his slaves ate and I bet he and his household were concerned and assisted with medicine and advise when his slaves were sick. So what is ones definition of government? Public health and things like quarantine are a necessary part of medical practice. We have a very free and diverse diet available to us, I do not see that it is controlled by any one authoirty or government. Because "experts" from all sides wish to promote their ideas of diet and medicine does not mean that one must listen to them. Some improvements of course could and should be made like lower costs like our Canadian and Mexican brethren are able to achieve.  -- Waffler, Smith
It is not government whom we must fear in these matters, but big business!  -- Anonymous, Reston, VA, US
Well done Waffler, keep the rabble in their place. Though the quote does deserve some credit. I don't think he realized how corrupt government and corporations would become - working together under the guise of our well-being. Many of you have no idea on what you are saying - many governments that already have universal healthcare (care that costs much, much, less that what we provide). The care in America is no more or no less effective that it is in those countries with Universal health care. Though in a recent medical report it showed America has a very bad record when it comes to mortality rates. Please Editor, lets enthuse some intelligent arguments on the subject. The problem with America is that greed and corporate profit far out ways any good intention the bloggers on this site may have. In the meantime those that really do need care because of a myriad of reasons are denied because you Libertarians hate government – give me a break. Until you become more compassionate and understanding of ethics and morality I will not give a damm about your manifesto. Until I see you care for those in need, those who do not have the resources to pay for a roof over their head, an operation, food in the fridge, daycare, and a whole list of other things us rich boys take for granted. The more I read the comments on this blog the more I am disappointed with the human race. We have a long way to go and it seems at times to get further, and further away. I am the eternal optimist so I live in hope that one day the human race (us Apes) will see the light. Capitalism obvious doesn’t work – it has brought the world to its knees, it has damaged our planet to a point it may never recover, it has caused through religious wars and despotism misery beyond imagination. The human race may well be the cause of our own demise. And then after a few thousand years Earth will have forgotten us and hopefully the world will repair itself ready I hope for a more enlightened species. Love you guys – lets all try and help others and this planet. Think when you wake in the morning how fortunate you are and how you can help bring a smile to another’s face. Some will say ‘I’m not going to support the those lazy reprobates or pay for care that they or the community or charity should provide and in some instances you are probably right – that is not the question; the question should be what is honorable and ethical, and do I deny a persons welfare simply because it doesn’t agree with my philosophy or with my agenda. Have a great week, Robert  -- RBESRQ
RBESRQ. I get the feeling you don't understand much about Libertarianism. You're statement that Libertarians hate government is innaccurate. We disagree with governmental largesse. We disagree with governmental encroachment into every aspect of our lives. You would, if you checked find that Libertarians are basically Constitutionalists. What that means is "limited"government who's tasks are basic to the defense and justice systems and in place to protect rights, not grant them. If you want to see compassionate medicare, I welcome you to come stand in a line up for socialized "government" medicare here in Canada. You'll probably die while waiting for an MRI.  -- J Carlton, Calgary
Thank you J. Carlton for the clearest thinking I've heard in a long time. While visiting your wonderful country several years ago, I asked about the universal care system and someone told me " if I had a hangnail, i get it treated here but if I needed triple bypass, i'll go to the states and have it done" That said it all to me. rkg96 N.Y.  -- rkg96, USA
If you want to see what government run health care looks like, just visit a V.A. hospital.  -- Bryan Morton, Stuart, FL
The current health debate is about the 50 million who pay no insurance yet go to the emergency room when they are shot or sick and get services for free. The insurance industry won't take these people. Massacusetts has a mandatory health insurance law just like virtually every state has a mandatory car insurance law or like we often pay for uninsured motorist coverage. The health care debate is primarily about making the uninsured by some insurance even if it has to be "government" insurance. Check it out and get on board, the train is leaving the station. Again we have a wide diverse source of info about health in this country, the government does not control it or tell us what to eat or take.  -- Waffler, Smith
-- Elisabeth, Astoria, NY
Still so confused why Waffler is on this listserve, there must be some website that would send him/her Karl Marx quotes! Re: the quote, what foresight (or is it forsight, forgive me I'm a product of the government run monopoly we call an education system!).  -- Anonymous
Waffler keep onthis site someone must light their flames of comapssion. Take no heed in the remarks of those who think they understand.  -- RBESRQ
I can't wait for a Libertarian government one that has no compassion accept for the survival of the fittest -- I wonder how long that would last. I'm not saying the current system is perfect -- it needs intelligent reform not unintelligent alternatives. Oh yes, MRI's, well I suppose if you have 20 machines in Beverly Hills you could get an MRI same day. Do you realize the profit hospitals make on MRI's, no you don't (I was in the healthcare industry for a while it stinks - there are some great doctors - one I know works an urgent care clinic in LA and he is an Angel). Why do you think when you have insurance and you visit the ER you get every test under the sun - grow up guys, you are just fueling the greed that exists in America - you tell them you don't have insurance and bang goes those MRI's and CT's and any other expensive procedure. P.S. the market is heading for an all time collapse so get ready for it. We may need another war to survive.  -- RBESRQ
Medical insurance is a personal obligation to oneself and family. It is not for the government to decide that insurance should be mandated and that ll taxpeyers shall share in the expense of caring for the sick, lame and lazy. In my experiences (career) of the 46 million not covered with a medical plan, the far greater majority of those opt voluntarily NOT to acquire insurance. genrally, because it eats into their available funds for things such a 50" plasm tv's, new car, drugs, eating out at Big Mac everynight, movies, $250.00 tennisd shoes, and a multitude of uncessary pruchases. These folks make a concious decision to pass up on medical insurance. Personal obligations should remain personal - not for the government to step in an tax those of us who exercise our repsonsibilites with sound choices placing our families in the forefront of our decision making process. There are already programs in place for those who are physically and/or mentally unable to work and earn the necesssary funds for medical insurance. That is the ONLY moral obligation we should feel when it comes to providing for those without. And, then, it should be at the local level where the people have a better grasp on their politicians and the systems supposedly designed to hlp those truly in need yet who contribute to the system through their own labors. Those who believe Canada and England have such outstanding successful medical coverage programs haven't personally had to suffer through te realty of their lack of performance or care for the people. Why do you think that most folks in Canada come to the US for treatment. It's not available in Canaa!. Even the government of England has, over the past several years, carped over the failure of their own medical program. Wake up folks - We all carry the respoinsibility to provide for ourselves. Keep the government out of our lives and force them to perform their priomary responibilites as clearly defined in the US Constitution. aybe we'll een have some money left over if that miracle would aver manifest itself! RWS-NC  -- Robert, Wallace
"I can't wait for a Libertarian government one that has no compassion accept for the survival of the fittest " ~ Again wrong. This is nothing more than the spewing of statist propoganda. It is not a governments job to be compassionate. And why do you assume that "people" have no compassion? That is exactly what the Hillary's of the world would have you believe in order to further socialism and government control. Wrong wrong wrong....RBESRQ, I really wish you would do some homework on the subject rather than brandishing your assumptions about.  -- J Carlton, Calgary
I see no compassion in your comments that is my resource, re; this blog anyway.  -- RBESRQ
Just look at Big Pharma and the FDA, not to mention the 'war on drugs.' A nationalized health care plan written by the pharmaceutical and insurance corporations will guarantee the slow deaths of millions timed just right until you are dead broke, then just dead. I do not need prescription medication but with nationalist health care I can be forced to take it. Leave my health and body alone!!  -- E Archer, NYC
RBESRQ and Waffler are the Socialist sirens who would sing any weary captain and his sailors to their graves. Have they ever read anything of substance? Mises' writings on the Socialist calculation fallacy? Hayek on the "pretense of knowledge"? Locke? Blackstone? Destutt de Tracy? Spooner? Bastiat? Say? Rothbard? I'll bet they've read Marx, and lots of it! Compassion? If compassion is stealing the property of the unwilling to give to the undeserved, then call me the most un-compassionate monster alive! I have a suggestion for the comrades: grow up, realize that there is such a thing as individual responsibility, and educate yourselves on the topics of which you speak prior to demeaning the espousers of those views. Hundreds, if not thousands of years of human history provide us with the knowledge that governments, or rather tyrannies, can not long provide for their citizenry before corruption and all the other demons of collectivism destroy the civilization. If you feel so strongly about providing for the "under-privileged", create a charitable organization with your OWN FUNDS and provide for your innocent victims.  -- Christopher, NJ
Funny thing, i copied this quote and tried a search on the UVA and Monticello websites and came up with nothing. Shame on you for attributing this quote to Jefferson. How bout an actual quote from Jefferson "Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong." --Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Virginia, 1782.  -- Beherrel Hunt, Baltimore
I found the quote, n.p. Try Excite_com, next time... http://www.basicquotations.com/index.php?quote=36277, or you can close your eyes and hit the DELETE button.  -- sdenne, SACRAMENTO
Thanks, Beherrel and sdenne. It turns out that this quote is a paraphrase from Jefferson's Notes on Virginia, Query XVII: "Was the government to prescribe to us our medicine and diet, our bodies would be in such keeping as our souls are now." Here is a link to the actual quote. Thanks for helping us keep this database accurate!  -- Editor, Liberty Quotes
-- Anonymous
I like the quote, and for those liberals who just don't get it, keep reading eventually these smart quotes might contaminate your mind with common-sense.  -- Ms.Judicious, Sacramento
Keep this quote in mind when hearing the slanderous anti-marijuana propaganda .  -- Anonymous, Anonymous
-- Anonymous
Obamacare if you think about it is perfect for liberals and conservatives. Think about it, the liberals get their socialized medicine and welfare. The conservatives have their big pharma. making lots of money from the corporate welfare.  -- Anonymous
This belong to the legitimate foundations of human freedom, and this should be a law to obey, like Newton's Laws of Physics.  -- Noel, Miami
"I see no compassion in your comments that is my resource, re; this blog anyway. -- RBESRQ" Oh I'm sorry...was I supposed to wrap reality and the nature of human existence into a hug for you? People left alone and given an opportunity will almost always do the right thing. I support a whole lot of charitable agencies that are "direct" charity. I would do more if I wasn't being bled dry by the tax (extortion) system of steal and waste. Liberals and Progressive Socialists can't see that because their point of view is a reflection of their own existence... Controlling, parasitic, pointless....Pathetic.  -- J Carlton, Calgary
Government IS Business is the reality. When the Laws are up for sale to favor the few at the expense of the many, you do not have free market Capitalism, you have an Oligarchy.  -- Jim, Klamath Ca.
goverment gives away some to keep people dumb to the fact when goverment owns it all ,there will be none..unless they bow to muslims ,the army of satan  -- Janet, Moorefield
Janet from Moorefield go throw yourself off of a cliff. :]  -- Ashley

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