With the land and possession of America rapidly passing…
““With the land and possession of America rapidly passing into the hands of a favored few; with great corporations taking the place of individual effort; with the small shops going down before the great factories and department stores; with thousands of men and women in idleness and want; with wages constantly tending to a lower level; ... with bribery and corruption openly charged, constantly reiterated by the press, and universally believed; and above all and more than all, with the knowledge that the servants of the people, elected to correct abuses, are bought and sold in legislative halls at the bidding of corporations and individuals: with all these notorious evils sapping the foundations of popular government and destroying personal liberty, some rude awakening must come. And if it shall come, ... when you then look abroad over the ruin and desolation, remember the long years in which the storm was rising, and do not blame the thunderbolt.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that concentrated wealth, corporate power, and corrupt politics erode democracy and liberty, leading to inevitable crisis if unchecked.
In simple terms: Corporate greed and corruption threaten freedom and will cause a crisis.
Key Takeaway
Guard democracy by limiting corporate influence.
Themes
politics
economics
corruption
freedom
justice
Mood
cautious
determined
critical
Type
political
warning
activist
When to use this quote
- voting reform
- campaign finance
- community activism
- support local businesses
- education on civic rights
Key Concepts
capitalism
elite power
public trust
social decay
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens effectively curb corporate influence?
- What signs indicate a society is approaching a “rude awakening”?
A Different Perspective
Reforms may be resisted by entrenched interests and can be slow to implement.