When widely followed public figures feel free to say anything, without any fact-checking, it becomes impossible for a democracy to think intelligently about big issues.
Thomas L. FriedmanTags: democracy free-speech media elections political-science politics-observation democrats republicans democracy-freedom democracy-voting democracy-fascism politics-science politicsics
[The American President] has to take all sorts of abuse from liars and demagogues.… The people can never understand why the President does not use his supposedly great power to make ’em behave. Well, all the President is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.
Harry TrumanTags: power democracy funny elections government president political-science politics-observation politicians democrats republicans democracy-freedom democracy-voting democracy-fascism politics-science politicsics
It is essential that anyone reading this book know at the outset that the author is apolitical. I was convinced in 1927 that humanity's most fundamental survival problems could never be solved by politics.
R. Buckminster FullerTags: politics-science
Every election is determined by the people who show up.
Larry J. SabatoTags: liberty freedom democracy elections responsibility vote voters voting political-science politics-observation democrats republicans voting-rights democracy-freedom democracy-voting democracy-fascism politics-science politicsics
Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable — the art of the next best
Otto von BismarckTags: power democracy elections responsibility government political-science politics-observation politics-science politicsics
Both groups [of pundits] were critics, and that is the heart of the problem. If you are a pundit, you seem so smart when you are telling the President what he did wrong… This [is] mostly BS.
Jeffrey A. MillerTags: democracy free-speech media elections political-science politics-observation democrats republicans democracy-freedom democracy-voting democracy-fascism politics-science politicsics
The ruling power is always faced with the question, ‘In such and such circumstances, what would you do?’, whereas the opposition is not obliged to take responsibility or make any real decisions.
George OrwellTags: liberty power freedom democracy free-speech media elections responsibility vote government voters voting president political-science politics-observation republicans voting-rights democracy-freedom democracy-voting democracy-fascism politics-science politicsics
Chet couldn’t wipe away his smile. “I have learned much since we parted ways, and one of those lessons is that a static force, even in mass, can be crushed by a dynamic one.”
Wellington‘s face stiffened. “What kind of foolish talk is that?”
“You will find out. On the Fourth of July, as you sit here in your governor’s mansion pandering to your public servants—using them to climb into more power, you will learn what it feels like to have everything you believe in shatter before your very eyes.”
Wellington shifted irritably in his seat. “What sort of riddle is that, Chet? You and I have been in this political game our entire lives. You know how it works, and that’s not going to change. Ever. One party controls the knobs of politics with one hand, and the other party controls the knobs with the other hand. But they are all one body, members of a political ruling class. That’s what we do. This isn’t anything new.”
Chet pushed his brows over his eyes in a gaze that could melt steel. “You will not be able to stop the ramifications of its impact. This thing I’m about to unleash upon you, I’m doing to you because you are an evil man. I used to be, I’ll give you that. But I changed, luckily, before death found me. And I will not let you get away with what you are doing to this country.”
Wellington was aghast. “So you’re involved with terrorism now, are you? What are you going to do?”
Chet shook his head. “The truth isn’t something you can hide from people. They all feel it even if they don’t understand the intentions behind the madness.”
Wellington was in a near panic in anticipation over what Chet was planning. “I can have you followed, you know. Everyone you speak to will be monitored. Surely you know that? And who are you to decide what the best position for anything is? You don’t have a right to make decisions for the masses. If you were sitting in my seat, perhaps. But you’re not.”
“If you hadn’t cheated, I would be in your chair.” Chet pierced Wellington with his squinted eyes. “And because of that, I have decided that you aren’t able to make decisions for the masses either, and I’ll see to it that you won’t continue to do so.” Chet pushed back his chair and stood up dramatically. “Enjoy this office because you won’t be here long.”
Wellington contorted his face in panic. “What are you doing? What’s going to happen? Tell me at least that much! Was it so bad between us that we can’t reason with each other? Maybe we could make a deal. What if I make you my presidential running mate?”
Chet didn’t answer. He headed for the door, unsure as to why he had said that last part. He still didn’t really know what was going to happen. But with Rick Stevens headed down in a few days with a multimillion dollar car, anything was possible. But now Wellington would know that Chet was behind the crazy driver who refused to pull over.
Tags: political-philosophy political-science politics-science
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