The constitution has broken down. We have no enemies except the ones we select and direct towards the nearest nuclear bombs. They need an enemy to provoke, a diversion. This is the mentality of tenth-rate people who are in politics because corporate America likes them. They are malleable. They give them contracts to build missile shields that will never work. It's deeply corrupt.
Interpretation
The quote critiques the manipulation of public perception by political figures and corporate interests to create and maintain conflicts.
Gore Vidal’s quote speaks to the disintegration of democratic ideals and the consequent emergence of a manipulative political climate. He argues that political leaders, driven by corporate agendas, fabricate enemies to serve their interests, pushing societies towards unnecessary conflict. This reflects a deeper corruption where the motives of those in power supersede the well-being of the public.
In practice
In a discussion about electoral integrity, this quote can highlight concerns regarding political manipulation.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
As someone who worked hard for a Labour victory in the 90s, do I regret it? Not really. It was bound to happen. And it'll happen with the next government, and the one after it. Because all governments serve us. They serve the filth.
[V]irtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.
Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.
Want to depose the government of a poor country with resources? Want to bash Muslims? Want to build support for American military interventions around the world? Want to undermine governments that are raising their people up from poverty because they don't conform to the tastes of Upper West Side intellectuals? Use human rights as your excuse!
The art of government is the organisation of idolatry.
Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof; it is temporary expedient, often wise in party politics, almost sure to be unwise in statesmanship.
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