--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do we want to live in a cosmetically…" description: "\"“Do we want to live in a cosmetically updated version of midcentury Virginia, in a country that so elevates property rights as to paralyze the use of g..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/nancy-maclean-38428_goals_do-we-want-to-live-in-a-cosmetically-upd_2428352.jpg" --- # Do we want to live in a cosmetically updated version of… ![“Do we want to live in a cosmetically updated version of midcentury Virginia, in a country that so elevates property rights as to paralyze the use of government for democratically determined goals and needs? That extinguishes “the political we”?” quote by Nancy MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/nancy-maclean-38428_goals_do-we-want-to-live-in-a-cosmetically-upd_2428352.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/nancy-maclean-38428_goals_do-we-want-to-live-in-a-cosmetically-upd_2428352.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/nancy-maclean-38428_goals_do-we-want-to-live-in-a-cosmetically-upd_2428352.jpg) > ““Do we want to live in a cosmetically updated version of midcentury Virginia, in a country that so elevates property rights as to paralyze the use of government for democratically determined goals and needs? That extinguishes “the political we”?”” [Nancy MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-maclean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critiques overemphasis on property rights that hinders democratic government action, eroding collective political identity. **In simple terms:** Property rights can block democratic goals. Key Takeaway Balance rights with public good. Themes property rights democracy government collective identity urban planning Mood critical reflective Type analytical political When to use this quote - city zoning debates - community planning meetings - legislative reforms - grassroots activism Key Concepts liberalism political theory public policy Questions to Reflect On - How can we protect individual rights while achieving democratic goals? - What mechanisms ensure government can act for the common good? A Different Perspective Rights alone may not address urgent societal needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Property rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property-rights/) [Virginia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virginia/) ## Related quotes > [I often say that in making dances I can make a world where I think things are done morally, done democratically, done honestly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-often-say-that-in-making-dances-i-can-make-a-world-where-i-think/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [Our history is that we can very aggressively, if necessary, and openly and democratically discuss our differences. 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We believe in saving the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-maclean/most-americans-believe-in-fairness-we-believe-that-people-should-work/) [Nancy MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-maclean/) > [Privatization radically alters power relations in our society by weakening groups like public employees and public school teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-maclean/privatization-radically-alters-power-relations-in-our-society-by/) [Nancy MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-maclean/) > [“Its leaders had no scruples about enlisting white supremacy to achieve capital supremacy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-maclean/its-leaders-had-no-scruples-about-enlisting-white-supremacy-to/) [Nancy MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-maclean/) > [“By 1860, two of every three of the relatively few Americans whose wealth surpassed $100,000 lived below the Mason-Dixon Line. 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His intellectual lineage went… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-maclean/james-m-buchanan-directed-hostility-toward-college-students-public/) [Nancy MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-maclean/) > [“During the boom, Chile’s economic gains had been privatized; now, in the crunch, the country’s losses were socialized.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-maclean/during-the-boom-chile-s-economic-gains-had-been-privatized-now-in-the/) [Nancy MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-maclean/) [Explore all 12 Nancy MacLean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-maclean/) ## More Goals quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. 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The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. 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This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“What shapes us is not always our achievements but our omissions. Not lies; simply the truths we don’t tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-tudor/what-shapes-us-is-not-always-our-achievements-but-our-omissions-not/) [C.J. Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-tudor/) [Browse all 21,276 Goals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Do we want to live in a cosmetically updated version of midcentury Virginia, in a country that so elevates property rights as to paralyze the use of government for democratically determined goals and needs? 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