Congress Quote by James K. Polk
“The passion for office among members of Congress is very great, if not absolutely disreputable, and greatly embarrasses the operations of the Government. They create offices by their own votes and then seek to fill them themselves.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Congressional Remarks, 1848
Congress members create offices for themselves, undermining government efficiency and integrity.
In simple terms: Self‑appointed offices harm government.
Key Takeaway
Demand transparent appointment processes.
Themes
politics
government
corruption
Mood
cynical
critical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- legislative reform
- public administration
- ethics training
- accountability audits
Key Concepts
patronage
institutional decay
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure appointments serve public good?
- What safeguards prevent self‑appointment?
A Different Perspective
Self‑interest may be justified as constituency service.
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