“It’s so hard for me to think that one citizen, for whatever reason, would commit such mayhem.”
President Jefferson answers listener questions this week. He is asked about District of Columbia citizens being deprived of the right to vote, the future of the American experiment of self rule, and the Second Amendment.
Further Reading
- The Jefferson Image in the American Mind by Merrill D. Peterson
This week, we speak with President Jefferson about the separation of powers: the division of the legislative, executive, and judicial powers enumerated in our Constitution. Jefferson explains the responsibilities of these separate and independent bodies, and how they can limit excesses in government.
"That's the point of a constitutional revision: to clarify."
— Clay S. Jenkinson portraying Thomas Jefferson
"First among the equals is the legislative branch, because that’s the branch that’s closest to the people."
— Clay S. Jenkinson portraying Thomas Jefferson
"Average people have a voice, and often left important records that we have systematically ignored until very recently."
— Clay S. Jenkinson
President Thomas Jefferson speaks about the formation of the government of the United States. Jefferson explains the social contract theory that when you are alone, you are sovereign, and when you join with others you have to negotiate what is for the commonwealth, and negotiate what natural rights you get to keep after adjustment by the government.