They are patriotic in time of war because it is to their interest to be so, but in time of peace they follow power and the dollar wherever they may lead.
It may be shocking to some people in this country to realize that, without meaning to do so, they hold views in common with Hitler when they preach discrimination against other religious, racial or economic groups.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote warns against the dangers of discrimination and highlights the unintended similarities between discriminatory views and those held by oppressive regimes.
Henry A. Wallace's quote emphasizes the troubling reality that individuals may unknowingly adopt views that align with historically oppressive ideologies, such as those of Hitler. By advocating for discrimination against any group based on religion, race, or economic status, people may perpetuate harmful ideologies that deny the dignity and rights of others, thus reflecting a historical pattern of intolerance.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on civil rights, one might reference this quote to illustrate the importance of embracing diversity.
More from Henry A. Wallace
All quotes →During the next four years...unless drastic steps are taken by Congress, the U.S. will have nearly 8,000,000 unemployed and will stand on the brink of a deep depression.
American fascism will not be really dangerous until there is a purposeful coalition among the cartelists, the deliberate poisoners of public information, and those who stand for the K.K.K. type of demagoguery.
Fascism is a worldwide disease. Its greatest threat to the United States will come after the war, either via Latin America or within the United States itself.
A fascist is one whose lust for money or power is combined with such an intensity of intolerance toward those of other races, parties, classes, religions, cultures, regions or nations as to make him ruthless in his use of deceit or violence to attain his ends.
This is a fight between a free world and a slave world.
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