Question

I like the power given the Legislature to levy taxes, and for that reason solely I approve of the greater house being chosen by the people directly. For though I think a house so chosen . . . will be very illy [badly] qualified to legislate for the Union, for foreign nations, etc., yet this evil does not weigh against the good of preserving . . . the fundamental principle that the people are not to be taxed but by representatives chosen . . . by themselves.

Which of the following summarizes Jefferson’s views of “the people” in this passage?

entirely incapable of legislating for the Union
not qualified to legislate on some matters, but entitled to key rights
undeserving of being taxed by their government
the best choice to create legislation for the Union on all matters

Answer 1

what one can you eliminate

Answer 2

To help, we can remove options C and D from the list. Now we are left with A and B. When we read what Jefferson has written in the above excerpt, he says, "For though I think a house so chosen . . . will be very illy [badly] qualified to legislate for the Union, for foreign nations, etc" This here should be a hint, seeing as it relates directly yo one of the answer choices...Continuing, he also says, "and for that reason solely I approve of the greater house being chosen by the people directly." Here, it is evident that he feels the people should play a role in the government but not have too much power or control over what decisions are being made. From this, would A or B be the best fitting answer? If you need more of an explanation, please lmk (: