--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But this is the great danger America…" description: "\"But this is the great danger America faces. That we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/barbara-jordan-7656_america_but-this-is-the-great-danger-america-fac_903512.jpg" --- # But this is the great danger America faces. That we will… ![“But this is the great danger America faces. That we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual. Each seeking to satisfy private wants.” quote by Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/barbara-jordan-7656_america_but-this-is-the-great-danger-america-fac_903512.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/barbara-jordan-7656_america_but-this-is-the-great-danger-america-fac_903512.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/670/barbara-jordan-7656_america_but-this-is-the-great-danger-america-fac_903512.jpg) > “But this is the great danger America faces. That we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual. Each seeking to satisfy private wants.” [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. America risks fragmenting into competing factions, eroding national unity and shared purpose. **In simple terms:** America may split into many groups, losing unity. Key Takeaway Foster common goals over narrow interests. Themes unity politics social cohesion Mood concerned reflective Type political social commentary When to use this quote - community building - policy making - civic education - media framing Key Concepts pluralism collectivism interest groups Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance individual rights with collective good? - What structures promote national solidarity? A Different Perspective Overcoming personal interests can be difficult and may face resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Interest groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest-groups/) ## Related quotes > [I came to office with one deliberate intent: to change Britain from a dependent to a self-reliant society -- from a give-it-to-me, to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/i-came-to-office-with-one-deliberate-intent-to-change-britain-from-a/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [We meant to change a nation, and instead, we changed a world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-meant-to-change-a-nation-and-instead-we-changed-a-world/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The danger to America is not in the direction of the failure to maintain its economic position, but in the direction of the failure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-danger-to-america-is-not-in-the-direction-of-the-failure-to/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [A porous border is a danger to America's national security, the people who live near it, and to those who cross it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raja-krishnamoorthi/a-porous-border-is-a-danger-to-america-s-national-security-the-people/) [Raja Krishnamoorthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raja-krishnamoorthi/) > [Experience has proved that the real danger to America and to liberty lies in the defect of energy and stability in the present establishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/experience-has-proved-that-the-real-danger-to-america-and-to-liberty/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [“the danger to America is not a single politician with ill intent. Or even a group of them. The most dangerous thing any nation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-andrews/the-danger-to-america-is-not-a-single-politician-with-ill-intent-or/) [Andy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-andrews/) > [Washington's impulsive use of power is a danger to America and to the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-craig-roberts/washington-s-impulsive-use-of-power-is-a-danger-to-america-and-to-the/) [Paul Craig Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-craig-roberts/) > [To be honest with you, I want my opinion of Trump out there. I think that he is a danger to America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haim-saban/to-be-honest-with-you-i-want-my-opinion-of-trump-out-there-i-think/) [Haim Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haim-saban/) > [The greatest problem America faces is the decline of middle class incomes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-schumer/the-greatest-problem-america-faces-is-the-decline-of-middle-class/) [Charles Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-schumer/) > [The light bulb going off in my head was a fear that in this pivotal moment in history, when America faces so many serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-light-bulb-going-off-in-my-head-was-a-fear-that-in-this-pivotal/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [America faces very real challenges. The climate crisis, inequality, stagnant wages, student debt - the list goes on. Rather than address these serious problems,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-steyer/america-faces-very-real-challenges-the-climate-crisis-inequality/) [Tom Steyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-steyer/) > [America faces a new race that has awakened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-franklin-frazier/america-faces-a-new-race-that-has-awakened/) [E. Franklin Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-franklin-frazier/) > [America faces many challenges...but the enemy I fear most is complacency. We are about to be hit by the full force of global competition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/america-faces-many-challenges-but-the-enemy-i-fear-most-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I meet people who can't get healthcare for their families, people who are just distressed over what is happening in our country. So when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-meet-people-who-can-t-get-healthcare-for-their-families-people-who/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [America faces an enemy who believes in enforced ignorance. And all that we stand for is the open mind, the generous spirit, the ideal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mccullough/america-faces-an-enemy-who-believes-in-enforced-ignorance-and-all/) [David McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mccullough/) ## More by Barbara Jordan > [We are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-party-of-innovation-we-do-not-reject-our-traditions-but-we/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-believe-that-the-people-are-the-source-of-all-governmental-power/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If you had to work in the environment of Washington, D.C., as I do, and watch those men who are so imprisoned and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-you-had-to-work-in-the-environment-of-washington-d-c-as-i-do-and/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If youre going to play the game properly, youd better know every rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-youre-going-to-play-the-game-properly-youd-better-know-every-rule/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [All my growth and development led me to believe that if you really do the right thing, and if you play by the rules,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/all-my-growth-and-development-led-me-to-believe-that-if-you-really-do/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/for-all-of-its-uncertainty-we-cannot-flee-the-future/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present: unemployment, inflation... but we are attempting on a larger scale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-people-trying-not-only-to-solve-the-problems-of-the-present/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/my-faith-in-the-constitution-is-whole-it-is-complete-it-is-total-and/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [...for the system to be credible, people actually have to be deported at the end of the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/for-the-system-to-be-credible-people-actually-have-to-be-deported-at/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [I have faith in young people because I know the strongest emotions which prevail are those of love and caring and belief and tolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/i-have-faith-in-young-people-because-i-know-the-strongest-emotions/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [One thing is very clear: Illegal immigrants are not entitled to benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/one-thing-is-very-clear-illegal-immigrants-are-not-entitled-to/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If we promise as public officials, we must deliver. If we as public officials propose, we must produce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-we-promise-as-public-officials-we-must-deliver-if-we-as-public/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [I get from the soil and spirit of Texas the feeling that I, as an individual, can accomplish whatever I want to, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/i-get-from-the-soil-and-spirit-of-texas-the-feeling-that-i-as-an/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We are a people in a quandary about the present. We are a people in search of our future. We are a people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-people-in-a-quandary-about-the-present-we-are-a-people-in/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We have a positive vision of the future founded on the belief that the gap between the promise and reality of America can one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-have-a-positive-vision-of-the-future-founded-on-the-belief-that/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) [Explore all 89 Barbara Jordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But this is the great danger America faces. That we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual. 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