The genius of our ruling class is that it has kept a majority of the people from ever questioning the inequity of a system where most people drudge along, paying heavy taxes for which they get nothing in return.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the manipulation of the ruling class in maintaining an unjust system that benefits them while oppressing the majority.
Gore Vidal emphasizes how the ruling class has ingeniously managed to prevent the general populace from questioning the unfairness of a socio-economic system that burdens them with heavy taxes without providing any tangible benefits in return. This insight reveals a critique of systemic inequities and the complacency bred by a lack of awareness among those oppressed by such systems.
In practice
During a lecture on socio-economic justice, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of questioning systemic inequities.
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.
The Iranian regime suppresses its own people as well as others in the region. It prevents peace by sponsoring terror globally. With the ultimate weapon that it is deceptively developing, the regime aims to gain hegemony over the entire Middle East and hold the world's economy hostage.
I doubt very much if a man whose main literary interests were in works by Mr. Zane Grey, admirable as they may be, is particularly equipped to be the chief executive of this country, particularly where Indian Affairs are concerned.
He brings to the fierce struggle of politics the tepid enthusiasm of a lazy summer afternoon at a cricket match.
The federal government did not create the states; the states created the federal government.
State television, from which a significant number of Poles get their news, consistently smears, in aggressive and defamatory language, the political opposition and anyone who thinks differently from the ruling party.
Nothing is easier than spending public money. It does not appear to belong to anybody. The temptation is overwhelming to bestow it on somebody.
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