--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Citizens United didn't work. Hey, Koch…" description: "\"Citizens United didn't work. Hey, Koch brothers, Karl Rove, Shellgame Adelson: Democracy trumps money sometimes.\" — Henry Rollins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/henry-rollins-170_citizens_citizens-united-didn-t-work-hey-koch-bro_37582.png" --- # Citizens United didn't work. Hey, Koch brothers, Karl… ![“Citizens United didn't work. Hey, Koch brothers, Karl Rove, Shellgame Adelson: Democracy trumps money sometimes.” quote by Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/henry-rollins-170_citizens_citizens-united-didn-t-work-hey-koch-bro_37582.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/henry-rollins-170_citizens_citizens-united-didn-t-work-hey-koch-bro_37582.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/henry-rollins-170_citizens_citizens-united-didn-t-work-hey-koch-bro_37582.png) > “Citizens United didn't work. Hey, Koch brothers, Karl Rove, Shellgame Adelson: Democracy trumps money sometimes.” [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) ## 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 asserts that despite powerful financial influences, democratic processes can still prevail over money-driven agendas. **In simple terms:** Democracy can override money. Key Takeaway Powerful money doesn't guarantee political success. Themes politics democracy money power influence campaign finance Mood defiant hopeful critical Type political commentary cynical observation When to use this quote - elections - policy debates - grassroots movements Key Concepts political power democratic resilience financial influence Practical Applications - political analysis - civic education Questions to Reflect On - What mechanisms enable democracy to resist financial pressure? - How can citizens strengthen democratic safeguards? A Different Perspective Some argue that money's influence is pervasive and often decisive, challenging the optimism of democratic triumph. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizens united](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens-united/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [As a result of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, American democracy is being undermined by the ability of the Koch brothers and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/as-a-result-of-the-citizens-united-supreme-court-decision-american/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [In the last presidential election Obama and Romney raised about $1 billion each. 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I announced that I would only nominate justices to the Supreme Court who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/issue-a-statement-attacking-the-disastrous-citizens-united-supreme/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [For the first 200 years of our nation's history, corporations were never defined by the courts as persons with free speech rights under the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bonifaz/for-the-first-200-years-of-our-nation-s-history-corporations-were/) John Bonifaz > [We have to end Citizens United, and we have to do it united as a people. If we don't do it, our system is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/we-have-to-end-citizens-united-and-we-have-to-do-it-united-as-a/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [The first case I sat on... was Citizens United. Talk about being thrown in. 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Because, the potty-trained Republicans have now stepped forward - like the Koch brothers - to say, 'You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/gordon-gekko-was-right-greed-is-good-because-the-potty-trained/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [Billionaires like the Koch brothers, casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, and political puppet master Karl Rove should not be able to buy our elections. Secret…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-johnson/billionaires-like-the-koch-brothers-casino-mogul-sheldon-adelson-and/) [Hank Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-johnson/) > [“previously been reported. For all three, the association with the Koch brothers' network is likely to provide kindling for their opponents, who have already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/previously-been-reported-for-all-three-the-association-with-the-koch/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Henry Rollins > [I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-believe-that-one-defines-oneself-by-reinvention/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [I think that one of the hardest things in the world to be is a black male. I mean everyone hates your guts. White…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-think-that-one-of-the-hardest-things-in-the-world-to-be-is-a-black/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [In the summer of '84, you just couldn't escape the Born in the USA record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/in-the-summer-of-84-you-just-couldn-t-escape-the-born-in-the-usa/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [We spend millions of dollars to remove pain from our lives. It's why so many people get hooked on painkillers. 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