Government Quote by John C. Calhoun
“A power has risen up in the government greater than the people themselves, consisting of many and various and powerful interests, combined into one mass, and held together by the cohesive power of the vast surplus in the banks.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address on the Power of the Banked Elite, 1840 (hypothetical)
A ruling class, backed by massive financial surplus, can dominate government beyond the will of ordinary citizens.
In simple terms: Wealthy elites can control politics more than the people.
Key Takeaway
Promote transparency and limit financial influence.
Themes
wealth
government
elitism
Mood
cautious
informed
Type
political
economic
When to use this quote
- campaign finance reform
- public policy
- grassroots organizing
- media scrutiny
Key Concepts
economic power
democratic erosion
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can prevent financial dominance in politics?
- How does public awareness affect elite power?
A Different Perspective
Economic power can be mitigated by strong institutions and civic engagement.
![“There was another reason [she] took her books whenever they went away. They were her home when she was somewhere strange. They were familiar voices, friends that never quarreled with her, clever, powerful friends -- daring and knowledgeable, tried and tested adventurers who had traveled far and…” quote by Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/639/cornelia-funke-908_adventurer_there-was-another-reason-she-took-her-bo_3074.jpg)
