Debate between Jefferson and Obama would be interesting

I am just a simple man and on occasion, I fail to understand our government and the folks who proudly wait in line for a handout. What has happened to people who have decided that to be nonproductive is OK? America was built on the free enterprise system, where a man was proud, and was supposed to provide and to ask for help was an embarrassment.

I recently read some quotes from Thomas Jefferson, who helped write the Declaration of Independence and who was an early president - the third, if memory serves me.

I have enclosed a few of his quotes for your pleasure.

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those willing to work and give to those who would not.”

“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”

“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes.”

“To compel a man to subsidize, with his taxes, the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”

“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.”

I would like to hear a debate between our present president and Mr. Jefferson. How will we ever recover from the debt being created under the guise of redistribution of wealth? Where has the spirit of self-reliance and free enterprise that made this a great country gone? Where are we headed?

Bob Hill

Yuma