--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are a nation founded on distrust of…" description: "\"We are a nation founded on distrust of government power, and questioning that power is essential to promoting transparency and accountability.\" — Asha ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/asha-rangappa-10145_accountability_we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-g_1546462.jpg" --- # We are a nation founded on distrust of government power… ![“We are a nation founded on distrust of government power, and questioning that power is essential to promoting transparency and accountability.” quote by Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/asha-rangappa-10145_accountability_we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-g_1546462.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/asha-rangappa-10145_accountability_we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-g_1546462.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/asha-rangappa-10145_accountability_we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-g_1546462.jpg) > “We are a nation founded on distrust of government power, and questioning that power is essential to promoting transparency and accountability.” [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Questioning government authority is vital for transparency and accountability in a distrustful nation. **In simple terms:** Question power to ensure accountability. Key Takeaway Critically assess authority for transparency. Themes civic engagement government trust accountability Mood analytical thoughtful Type political philosophical When to use this quote - voting - journalism - activism - public forums Key Concepts political science ethics public policy Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens balance skepticism and cooperation? - What mechanisms ensure accountability? A Different Perspective Excessive distrust can erode cooperation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accountability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Nation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nation/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Transparency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transparency/) ## Related quotes > [Our country was founded on a distrust of government. Our founding fathers gave power to the people to keep an eye on government. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/our-country-was-founded-on-a-distrust-of-government-our-founding/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) > [“Are you questioning the power vested in me by His Excellency?" demanded Treble. "Are you challenging the authority of the Grand Steward himself?" Maxim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/are-you-questioning-the-power-vested-in-me-by-his-excellency-demanded/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [When you have a young man, I mean, questioning the power in place for love of his country, not to say 'stop' but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-michel-jarre/when-you-have-a-young-man-i-mean-questioning-the-power-in-place-for/) [Jean-Michel Jarre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-michel-jarre/) > [At no time in the past century has public distrust of the government been so broadly distributed across the political spectrum, as it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-zimmermann/at-no-time-in-the-past-century-has-public-distrust-of-the-government/) [Phil Zimmermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-zimmermann/) > [Americans have always evinced some distrust of government, but the current situation has exacerbated this to a degree that may be unprecedented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-alterman/americans-have-always-evinced-some-distrust-of-government-but-the/) [Eric Alterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-alterman/) > [Freedom rests on a rational distrust of government; government will always use its power to benefit the incumbent administration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-rees-mogg/freedom-rests-on-a-rational-distrust-of-government-government-will/) [Jacob Rees-Mogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-rees-mogg/) > [I really believe there is something in the nature of a democracy that naturally leads people to distrust the government, to assume because a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bollen/i-really-believe-there-is-something-in-the-nature-of-a-democracy-that/) [Christopher Bollen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bollen/) > [We live in a time of such great distrust in government, and I really do think that that poses a deep, deep concern and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-kim/we-live-in-a-time-of-such-great-distrust-in-government-and-i-really/) [Andy Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-kim/) > [“But how is that different from any other godforsaken stretch of coast half off the grid?” There were still dozens of them all across…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-vandermeer/but-how-is-that-different-from-any-other-godforsaken-stretch-of-coast/) [Jeff VanderMeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-vandermeer/) > [No matter how deeply you distrust the government's judgment, you are too trusting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/no-matter-how-deeply-you-distrust-the-government-s-judgment-you-are/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [Distrust of government isn't baseless cynicism. It's realism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shapiro/distrust-of-government-isn-t-baseless-cynicism-it-s-realism/) [Ben Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shapiro/) > [To blindly trust government is to automatically vest it with excessive power. To distrust government is simply to trust humanity - to trust in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bovard/to-blindly-trust-government-is-to-automatically-vest-it-with/) [James Bovard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bovard/) > [The only limit to the oppression of government is the power with which the people show themselves capable of opposing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errico-malatesta/the-only-limit-to-the-oppression-of-government-is-the-power-with/) [Errico Malatesta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errico-malatesta/) > [Climate change is not an excuse to give the federal government ever more power over private property and state resources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-strange/climate-change-is-not-an-excuse-to-give-the-federal-government-ever/) [Luther Strange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-strange/) > [Without the ability to talk about government power, there's no way for citizens to make sure this power isn't being misused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-swartz/without-the-ability-to-talk-about-government-power-there-s-no-way-for/) [Aaron Swartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-swartz/) ## More by Asha Rangappa > [I know firsthand from my experience working counterintelligence investigations for the FBI that kicking a diplomat out of the country is no small thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/i-know-firsthand-from-my-experience-working-counterintelligence/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [The idea of dual sovereignty rests on the premise that the power of the states to prosecute crimes existed before the creation of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/the-idea-of-dual-sovereignty-rests-on-the-premise-that-the-power-of/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [I mean, the FBI has to assure people who come and help them that they're going to be able to keep their identities confidential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/i-mean-the-fbi-has-to-assure-people-who-come-and-help-them-that-they/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [Facebook's greatest strength - its ability to identify and connect like-minded people - is also a major vulnerability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/facebook-s-greatest-strength-its-ability-to-identify-and-connect-like/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [I know firsthand that it's difficult to get a FISA warrant. From 2002 to 2005, when I was an F.B.I. agent conducting counterintelligence investigations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/i-know-firsthand-that-it-s-difficult-to-get-a-fisa-warrant-from-2002/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [Reflexive control is a 'uniquely Russian' technique of psychological manipulation through disinformation. The idea is to feed your adversary a set of assumptions that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/reflexive-control-is-a-uniquely-russian-technique-of-psychological/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [I was a pretty unsavvy applicant, and I am grateful that the dean of admissions at Princeton chose to take a chance on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/i-was-a-pretty-unsavvy-applicant-and-i-am-grateful-that-the-dean-of/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [I'm a process person. Process is a manifestation of values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/i-m-a-process-person-process-is-a-manifestation-of-values/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [There's no law preventing a journalist from publishing whatever they want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/there-s-no-law-preventing-a-journalist-from-publishing-whatever-they/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [It's no surprise that whether by blocking visas or building walls, there are parts of the country desperate to hang on to a vision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/it-s-no-surprise-that-whether-by-blocking-visas-or-building-walls/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [For wealthy or privileged students, applying to Ivy League schools or elite schools is sort of expected of them. If you go to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/for-wealthy-or-privileged-students-applying-to-ivy-league-schools-or/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [Field offices are evaluated in part based on their success in following through on leads and making cases that result in arrests and convictions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/field-offices-are-evaluated-in-part-based-on-their-success-in/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [The uniqueness of executive clemency lies in the president's power to act without weighing guilt, innocence and legal principle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/the-uniqueness-of-executive-clemency-lies-in-the-president-s-power-to/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [When it comes to the Russia investigation, President Trump would be wise to review Scandal 101: Plausible deniability is your friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/when-it-comes-to-the-russia-investigation-president-trump-would-be/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [In the end, granting mercy comes down to just two people. For the recipient, the pardon is freedom. For the politician, the pardon can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/in-the-end-granting-mercy-comes-down-to-just-two-people-for-the/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) [Explore all 67 Asha Rangappa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) ## More Accountability quotes > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. 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It means I'm accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/champ-bailey/it-means-a-lot-it-means-i-m-accountable/) [Champ Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/champ-bailey/) > [Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to our god alone. I enquire after no man's and trouble none with mine;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-particular-principles-of-religion-are-a-subject-of-accountability/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [This strongly asserted but ill-defined license to kill without accountability is not an entitlement which the United States or other states can have without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-alston/this-strongly-asserted-but-ill-defined-license-to-kill-without/) Philip Alston > [Responsible Development shares many practices with XP but the roots are different. Responsible Development's values are honesty, transparency, accountability and responsibility. These lead me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kent-beck/responsible-development-shares-many-practices-with-xp-but-the-roots/) [Kent Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-beck/) > [“Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge… is empathy, for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bullard/opinion-is-really-the-lowest-form-of-human-knowledge-it-requires-no/) Bill Bullard > [The American people deserve accountability over wasteful spending, and we accomplish that by prioritizing taxpayer dollars in a responsive and responsible manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-britt/the-american-people-deserve-accountability-over-wasteful-spending-and/) [Katie Britt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-britt/) > [If torture is going to be administered as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/if-torture-is-going-to-be-administered-as-a-last-resort-in-the/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [“There are many professions that require individuals, on an ongoing basis, to pass drug tests, physicals and psychological evaluations in order to keep their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-hopkins/there-are-many-professions-that-require-individuals-on-an-ongoing/) [Gary Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-hopkins/) > [“Expecting accountability from the UN system was akin to expecting a blind dog to catch a flying Frisbee.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-soussan/expecting-accountability-from-the-un-system-was-akin-to-expecting-a/) Michael Soussan [Browse all 860 Accountability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are a nation founded on distrust of government power, and questioning that power is essential to promoting transparency and accountability.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Asha Rangappa" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-government-power-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accountability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-government-power-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/asha-rangappa-10145_accountability_we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-g_1546462.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/asha-rangappa-10145_accountability_we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-g_1546462.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/556/asha-rangappa-10145_accountability_we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-g_1546462.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are a nation founded on distrust of government power, and questioning that power is essential to…” — Asha Rangappa", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Asha Rangappa", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We are a nation founded on...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-government-power-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/we-are-a-nation-founded-on-distrust-of-government-power-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```