Division of labor Quote by Boies Penrose Senator
““I believe in the division of labor. You send us to Congress; we pass laws under which you make money...and out of your profits, you further contribute to our campaign funds to send us back again to pass more laws to enable you to make more money.””
About This Quote
Source Congressional speech, early 20th century
The speaker claims a cycle where legislators pass laws that generate profit for themselves, which then funds further campaigns to repeat the process.
In simple terms: Lawmakers profit from laws they pass, then fund more laws.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge self‑serving political cycles.
Themes
politics
corruption
campaign finance
power dynamics
Mood
cynical
skeptical
Type
political
critical
When to use this quote
- election campaigns
- policy making
- public advocacy
Key Concepts
interest groups
revolving door
legislative ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this cycle affect democratic accountability?
- What reforms could break this profit‑driven loop?
![“At this point, an urgent question arises: [...] Is it our duty to seek to become a thorough and complete human being, one quite sufficient unto himself; or, on the contrary, to be only a part of a whole, the organ of an organism? Briefly, is the division of labor, at the same time that it is a law…” quote by Emile Durkheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/487/emile-durkheim-7413_arise_at-this-point-an-urgent-question-arises_771653.jpg)
