What the public does is not to express its opinions but to align itself for or against a proposal. If read more

What the public does is not to express its opinions but to align itself for or against a proposal. If that theory is accepted, we must abandon the notion that democratic government can be the direct expression of the will of the people. We must abandon the notion that the people govern. Instead we must adopt the theory that, by their occasional mobilizations as a majority, people support or oppose the individuals who actually govern. We must say that the popular will does not direct continuously but that it intervenes occasionally.

The idea that you can merchandise candidates for high office like breakfast cereal - that you can gather votes like read more

The idea that you can merchandise candidates for high office like breakfast cereal - that you can gather votes like box tops - is, I think, the ultimate indignity to the democratic process.

Power (n): The only narcotic regulated by the SEC instead of the FDA.

Power (n): The only narcotic regulated by the SEC instead of the FDA.

Chinks in America's egalitarian armor are not hard to find. Democracy is the fig leaf of elitism.

Chinks in America's egalitarian armor are not hard to find. Democracy is the fig leaf of elitism.

These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.

These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.

Blood alone moves the wheels of history.

Blood alone moves the wheels of history.

The frustrated follow a leader less because of their faith that he is leading them to a promised land than read more

The frustrated follow a leader less because of their faith that he is leading them to a promised land than because of their immediate feeling that he is leading them away from their unwanted selves. Surrender to a leader is not a means to an end but a fulfillment. Whither they are led is of secondary importance.

Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master.

Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master.

I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies all right. But my damn friends. read more

I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies all right. But my damn friends. They're the ones that keep me walking the floor nights!