Calculations Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“Many of the opposition [to the new Federal Constitution] wish to take from Congress the power of internal taxation. Calculation has convinced me that this would be very mischievous.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e89/thomas-jefferson-43_calculations_many-of-the-opposition-to-the-new-federa_936908.jpg)
“Many of the opposition [to the new Federal Constitution] wish to take from Congress the power of internal taxation. Calculation has convinced me that this would be very mischievous.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to James Madison, 1787
Jefferson warns that allowing Congress to control internal taxes could lead to abuse of power, undermining constitutional balance.
In simple terms: Giving Congress tax power risks misuse.
Key Takeaway
Guard legislative tax authority carefully.
Themes
government
taxation
constitutional law
checks and balances
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- policy debates
- tax reform
- civic education
Key Concepts
federalism
political theory
public finance
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent tax abuse?
- How should tax authority be balanced?
A Different Perspective
Centralizing tax power may conflict with states’ rights.
![“Justice [Sonia]Sotomayor said, "Let's talk - you want to talk about the tax power."And I got like a 10-minute run on the tax power. And, boy, was I glad I did because I was able to get across this idea that, yes, this is a narrower ground on which you can affirm it. And I think everybody agrees. I…” quote by Donald Verrilli Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc0/donald-verrilli-jr-17929_able_justice-sonia-sotomayor-said-let-s-talk_635926.jpg)
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
