Thursday, January 12, 2006

Dead Men Speaking


First, Olen Steinhauer's mom over at Contemporary Nomad reminds us of something Ike wrote:

"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid." -- Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1952

Then my brother-in-law, Chris, sends me this:

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along ... Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger." -- Herman Goering

And finally, from Mark Twain, this description of a politician he'd met:

"You could lay a trap in the night and catch twelve more able men."

Remind you of anyone?

No comments: