Yes, this was a shock to me, too. But look at how he would have done it. He said that in order for the federal government to fund public universities, there would have to be a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT allowing the practice. He was well aware that the Constitution did NOT enable the federal government to use tax money to fund an educational system, absent such an amendment.
That is the RIGHT way to enact change in major public policy.
And then look at why Jefferson wanted America to fund education. He didn't want America to become like Europe, which he accurately describes in the article.
Where are we now? We are funding education without a Constitutional amendment, and are becoming more like Europe.
We apologize, President Jefferson.
http://www.libertarianism.org/public...ucation-part-2