What do Jefferson and Sen. Nunn Have In Common?

A great idea for the TEA Party Protests - a federal amendment removing from the federal government to ability to borrow money.

Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter to John Taylor dated November 26, 1798,

"I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government to the genuine principles of our Constitution. I mean an additional article, taking from the federal government the power of borrowing."

Senator Nunn felt the same way and attempted three times to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment which he called the "Jefferson Amendment". It required that Congress balance expenses with revenues.

In 1994, 1995, and 1996 - the three times Sen. Nunn attempted to pass the bill - the amendment polled at 75% approval ratings. It was the Clinton Administration that rejected the Jefferson Amendment.

I think it is time for us to re-examine this idea and if feasible, making Sen. Nunn's Balanced Budget Amendment a goal of the TEA Party Protests.

Afterall, if state constitutions include balanced budget amendments, why shouldn't the federal Constitution?