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

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

Both quotes by: Thomas Jefferson

Another 'Byte of Wisdom'...

"A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have."

---Thomas Jefferson

"I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator."
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'We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'
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"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
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"Whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government."

All the above...quotes form Thomas Jefferson ~

[Please be advised that the posts I make come from various sources, most of which I know to be Christian, or heart- warming stories. It has been said that Thomas Jefferson was a 'deist', (belief in an existence of a God without revelation or authority. Also I was told that he did not believe in the Virgin birth.) No one knows these things except the Lord. I would hope that when TJ took his dying breath, that he called on the Name of the Lord Jesus. I'm reminded of the thief on the cross next to Jesus' crucifixion.]
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~~COMPASSION IS IN THE EYES ~~

It was a bitter cold evening in northern Virginia many years ago. The old man's beard was glazed by winter's frost while he waited for a ride across the river. The wait seemed endless. His body became numb and stiff from the frigid north wind.

He heard the faint, steady rhythm of approaching hooves galloping along the frozen path. Anxiously, he watched as several horsemen rounded the bend. He let the first one pass by without an effort to get his attention. Then another passed by, and another. Finally, the last rider neared the spot where the old man sat like a snow statue. As this one drew near, the old man caught the rider's eye and said, "Sir, would you mind giving an old man a ride to the other side? There doesn't appear to be a passageway by foot."

Reining his horse, the rider replied, "Sure thing. Hop aboard." Seeing the old man was unable to lift his half-frozen body from the ground, the horseman dismounted and helped the old man onto the horse. The horseman took the old man not just across the river, but to his destination, which was just a few miles away.

As they neared the tiny but cozy cottage, the horseman's curiosity caused him to inquire, "Sir, I notice that you let several other riders pass by without making an effort to secure a ride. I'm curious why, on such a bitter winter night, you would wait and ask the last rider. What if I had refused and left you there?"

The old man lowered himself slowly down from the horse, looked the rider straight in the eyes, and replied, "I've been around these here parts for some time. I reckon I know people pretty good." The old-timer continued, "I looked into the eyes of the other riders and immediately saw there was no concern for my situation. It would have been useless even to ask them for a ride. But when I looked into your eyes, kindness and compassion were evident. I knew, then and there, that your gentle spirt would welcome the opportunity to give me assistance in my time of need."

Those heartwarming comments touched the horseman deeply. "I'm most grateful for what you have said," he told the old man. "May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion."

With that, Thomas Jefferson turned his horse around and made his way back to the White House.

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From: Chicken Soup for the Soul
--By: Jack Canfield / Mark Victor Hansen