Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!
Ronald ReaganRead
When scrutiny is lacking, tyranny, corruption and man's baser qualities have a better chance of entering into the public business of any government.
Interpretation
Without oversight, negative traits can dominate government actions.
This quote emphasizes the importance of scrutiny in governance. When there is a lack of oversight, it allows for tyranny, corruption, and the unfavorable aspects of human nature to seep into government functions, potentially leading to injustice and mismanagement of power. This highlights the necessity of accountability and vigilance in political systems to protect the public interest.
In practice
In a discussion about the importance of checks and balances in government during a civic engagement event.
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!
Given political history in Chile, it seemed to me that there was a critical task of consolidating a democracy and creating healthy civic-military and political-military relationships.
Politics matter, but politics can't come first. If politics come first in your life, something is wrong with you. It's a sad thing.
Communism needs democracy like the human body needs oxygen.
It has been said that the people of this country are deeply interested in the humanitarian and philanthropic considerations involved in [the Eastern Question]. All must appreciate such feelings. But I am mistaken if there be not a yet deeper sentiment on the part of the people of this country, one with which I cannot doubt your lordships will ever sympathise, and that is - the determination to maintain the Empire of England.
The chief internal enemies of any state are not spies nor saboteurs nor the paid agents of foreign governments. They are, on the contrary, those myriads of public officials who betray the trust imposed upon them by the people.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.