Breakfast Quote by Adlai E. Stevenson
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Campaign remarks, 1960 US Presidential Election
Treating candidates as commodities reduces democracy to a market transaction, stripping dignity from the political process.
In simple terms: Politics as a product is undignified.
Key Takeaway
Respect the integrity of voting.
Themes
democracy
politics
ethics
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
commentary
When to use this quote
- elections
- campaign fundraising
- public debates
- voter education
Key Concepts
commodification
citizen agency
political discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How does commodification affect voter trust?
- What alternatives preserve dignity in elections?
A Different Perspective
It ignores the need for informed judgment beyond brand appeal.
