Thomas Jefferson was preparing for the 2nd Constitutional Convention. It was January of 1787 and there was a growing discontent with the current constitutional framework (the Articles of confederation). He wrote to fellow Virginian, James Madison, about what his basic philosophy of government ought to be.
"Societies exist under three forms sufficiently distinguishable.
Even this evil is productive of good. It prevents the degeneracy of government, and nourishes a general attention to the public affairs. I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical."
- Jefferson to James Madison, January 30, 1787
The common sentiment of all of our young American States was that we should not be guilty of creating a federal entity which might one day be as oppressive as the British oppressors we shed blood and spent wealth to defeat. The reality of our present day is that our own forefathers would be sickened to see what now exists in their name.