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The Thomas Jefferson Discussion Group
of Orlando, Florida
Meeting No. 41 - September 14, 2004
Holiday House Restaurant, Orlando, Florida
THIS MONTH'S TOPIC:
WHOSE WORLD VIEW IS CLOSEST TO THOMAS JEFFERSON'S:
GEORGE W. BUSH OR JOHN F. KERRY -
AND, DOES IT MATTER?, PART II
I don’t know about you, but these storms have worn me out!
Speaking of the weather, Jefferson said: "The advantage of public opinion is like that of the weather-gauge in a naval action." 1815, Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe
He also said: "I hope that to preserve this weather-gauge of public opinion and to counteract the slanders and falsehoods disseminated by the [foreign] papers, the government will make it a standing instruction to their ministers at foreign courts, to keep [their people] truly informed of occurrences here by publishing in their papers the naked truth always, whether favorable or unfavorable. For they will believe the good if we candidly tell them the bad also." 1815, Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe
Seems like all politicians (not the least being Thomas Jefferson) have always been aware of, and savvy to, public opinion and the power of the press when it comes to forming that opinion. Public opinion polls are what drive the direction of some politicians more than others. Some politicians seem like weather vanes whose opinion depends on what way the wind is blowing at a particular moment.
I, for one, would rather know that what a candidate says he believes leading up to the election is what will influence his decision-making when he takes office. Compare this to the politician who uses polls to govern his policy (worse, what tie he should wear during a debate, or where he and his wife should go on vacation!). It brings us back to that “World View” topic from last month.
So, for this month’s topic: Whose world view is closest to Thomas Jefferson’s: George W. Bush or John F. Kerry - and, does it matter? Part 2
We all work out of our own world view – make decisions, set goals, gain pleasure, feel pain, feel disappointment, feel guilt, feel nothing.
“World View” (or core principles) is the absolute center of the onion. Layer upon layer is built on this center until you end up with the whole onion - “you” or “me” or “Jefferson” or “Bush” or “Kerry.” In physics, we call it “first principles” - the most basic, fundamental laws on which all science finds its genesis. One thing is fairly certain, however, most people don’t like to have their world view challenged. It is most disconcerting to have someone tell you have the philosophy of a rock or worse, Jello!
What was Jefferson’s world view? What made him tick? What is President Bush’s world view? What about Senator Kerry’s?
Whose is closest to Jefferson’s?
Join us Tuesday night, September 14 at the Holiday House’s new location (intersection of I-4 and Lee Road) for some fun.
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