Paul Coverdell: “in the last several days, as we have debated this very historic constitutional amendment, Thomas Jefferson has been…”

“in the last several days, as we have debated this very historic constitutional amendment, Thomas Jefferson has been quoted over and over because of his early recognition that there needed to be a constitutional provision for balancing the budget. I want to read one other quote that was sent to me by a Georgian, and then I will yield to the Senator from Idaho. This is what Thomas Jefferson said: Men, by their constitutions, are naturally divided into two parties: One, those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes; two, those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and stable. This debate was on this point because we were, through our efforts to pass the balanced budget amendment, endeavoring to put to the people the question in the several States which would have had to ratify. Those opposed it, in my judgment, were fearful of turning the question over to the people of the country.”