Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. Preview — What Would Jefferson Do? What Would Jefferson Do? Today, some 80 nations can be described as fully democratic. Yet in numerous countries around the world, democracy has failed or is tottering, and in the United States its principles are increasingly under siege from corporate and other forces.
In What Would Jefferson Do? Thom Hartmann shows why democracy is not an aberration in human history but the oldest, most resilient, Today, some 80 nations can be described as fully democratic. Thom Hartmann shows why democracy is not an aberration in human history but the oldest, most resilient, and most universal form of government, with roots in nature itself.
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To ask other readers questions about What Would Jefferson Do? Be the first to ask a question about What Would Jefferson Do? Lists with This Book. Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 4. Rating details. More filters. Sort order. Start your review of What Would Jefferson Do? Sep 30, Jake rated it really liked it. Thom Hartmann argues for a return of Jeffersonian democracy. The word democracy has become politicized of late, but the founding fathers often used democracy and republicanism interchangeably, as did Tocqueville in his brilliant book.
Jefferson really believed in government by the people and for the people, as opposed to aristocratic founders like Adams and Hamilton. The book describes a funny story when President Adams, after jailing many opposition journalists, parades through a town in his c Thom Hartmann argues for a return of Jeffersonian democracy.
The book describes a funny story when President Adams, after jailing many opposition journalists, parades through a town in his carriage with the people chanting Royalist inspired slogans and shooting cannons in his honor passed a tavern.
A town drunk shouted, in his hearing, that they should shoot the cannon up his arse. He was arrested. Jefferson reversed the pomp and aristocratic airs of the presidency. Jefferson would have been appalled by the power over government in recent years given to corporations and organized religion look into my home state of Utah for wonderful examples.
He envisioned an America where common people were educated and participated fully in government, particularly at the local level. The book argues against false impressions of the founders from right and left. Both say the founders, as wealthy landowners were self interested when writing the constitution. Hartmann calls bullshit, using the evidence that none oF the founders families maintained their wealth or status as they would have if staying with Britain not the only evidence, of course.
Hartmann does a fine job laying out the problems of modern American politics and proposes a solution of originalism, not the conservative version that uses a constitutional amendment designed to give freed slaves well, the male ones at least full rights of citizenship to make corporations people, and not the aristocratic and semi-royalist tendencies of the other fore mentioned founders, but the originalism of the most brilliant and people-trusting of the founders, Jefferson.
View 2 comments. Jul 29, Daniel rated it liked it. It is all about democracy: ours, the rest of the worlds, what the problems are and what possible solutions might be. Can't say I agree with everything Thom proposes, but the best thing about this book is it makes you think about what you believe very hard. Thom refuses to believe that we are stuck with the system we have and strives for something better, while hoping he can entice you into the struggle.
If you can get passed the political finger-pointing, I think you'll be suprised when you get to the end. Oct 31, Carol rated it liked it. Thomas Jefferson rocks! Thom Hartmann rocks! They are two of my favorite human beings! Hartmann is extremely well informed and articulate, and has written on a number of issues. Politics, government, history his an exceptional historian!
So, it pains me to rate a book of his at less than a 5-star. I think it's a book a lot of people would enjoy. For me, the writing was too intellectual.
So, this is really about me, not Hartmann. The deeper I got into this book, the more educated I felt. I also felt angrier. I've often wondered what our Founding Fathers would think of today's version of the country they created. This book gives a good indication that they would not be satisfied.
Sep 05, John Oppenheim rated it it was amazing. While this book was written in , the lessons remain today. This is a primer on how big business and big money have hijacked our country. While I am known as a liberal, it is a lesson for all of us. Apr 14, Bradley Jarvis rated it it was amazing. This is an excellent introduction to the basics of our democracy - what our founding fathers really thought, and how far we have deviated from the original American Dream. The book is well written, impeccably sourced, and an invaluable contribution to our political discourse.
Jul 28, John rated it it was amazing. This book should be mandatory reading in our high schools. Hartmann does an excellent job of explaining the constitution and demacracy. He is able to explain the problems we've gotten into, and easy, basic,common sence solutions to these problems. I highly recommend everyone read this book. Dec 28, Brian rated it really liked it Shelves: politics.
Time to return our nation back to "We The People". Get active people! Remember me. Create new account Request new password.
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