Thomas Jefferson and I share the same home town, Charlottesville, Virginia. On July 4th the forty-ninth annual Naturalization Ceremony welcoming new citizens to the United States will be held on the grounds of his home, Monticello. The speaker at this year's event, Coca-Cola Chairman of the Board and CEO Mushtar Kent, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Turkey, states that "I consider myself an ‘unabashed optimist' and learned this trait from America itself." What a celebration as the band plays, flags wave, and the shouts of the cheering crowd float across the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains. Why all the excitement about becoming a citizen of this country? Why choose this particular spot setting such a momentous occasion? What about the United States taught Kent that the glass is half full?
To commemorate Independence Day, I want to look at some of Jefferson's words, turning to Thomas Jefferson On Democracy, edited by Saul Padover. Though he did not write books, Jefferson penned some twenty-five thousand letters as well as a wide array of public papers and addresses, and Jeffersonian advocacy of democracy soars from the pages. Whenever he traveled abroad, he returned home with something akin to these words written to James Monroe: "How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy." Let's reflect on Jefferson's views then and hold them up to the light today. What "precious blessings" do we take for granted in this country? What is your response to the following Jeffersonian quotes that represent the heart of his belief in democracy? Are we living up to the democratic standards he sets forth below? Engage in good conversation over this holiday and thrive, as Jefferson did, on difference of opinion. Limiting myself to just one word, I'll briefly join your discussion. For fun, ask everyone in your group (of two or more!) do the same thing - just one word the first go round, then let the verbal fireworks commence.
