--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: American politics had two fatal flaws…" description: "\"“American politics had two fatal flaws - flaws that led to its downfall. The first was corruption. Politicians lied with almost every breath they mus..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41c/richard-stephenson-45924_american-politics_american-politics-had-two-fatal-flaws-fl_2904305.jpg" --- # American politics had two fatal flaws - flaws that led to… ![“American politics had two fatal flaws - flaws that led to its downfall. The first was corruption. Politicians lied with almost every breath they mustered and didn’t hesitate to slit each others throats for gain. They were whores willing to sell their vote to the highest bidder.” quote by Richard Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41c/richard-stephenson-45924_american-politics_american-politics-had-two-fatal-flaws-fl_2904305.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41c/richard-stephenson-45924_american-politics_american-politics-had-two-fatal-flaws-fl_2904305.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41c/richard-stephenson-45924_american-politics_american-politics-had-two-fatal-flaws-fl_2904305.jpg) > ““American politics had two fatal flaws - flaws that led to its downfall.  The first was corruption.  Politicians lied with almost every breath they mustered and didn’t hesitate to slit each others throats for gain.  They were whores willing to sell their vote to the highest bidder. ”” [Richard Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stephenson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Corruption and ruthless self‑interest erode democratic institutions, leading to collapse. **In simple terms:** Corruption destroys politics. Key Takeaway Demand accountability and transparency. Themes politics corruption ethics power decline Mood cynical urgent Type political critical When to use this quote - elections - legislative reform - public oversight - media scrutiny Key Concepts Moral decay institutional failure self‑interest Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens effectively curb political corruption? - What safeguards prevent power abuse? A Different Perspective Even with reforms, entrenched interests may resist change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-politics/) [Corruption Politicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption-politicians-1478873/) [Downfall Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/downfall-corruption-4147847/) [Politicians Lied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politicians-lied-3379339/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Politics Fatal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics-fatal-4147848/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) ## Related quotes > [“The corruption of our politicians, our leaders, and the heads of big corporations didn’t suddenly happen when they found themselves in influential roles; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-hadeed/the-corruption-of-our-politicians-our-leaders-and-the-heads-of-big/) [Troy Hadeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-hadeed/) > [People are fed up. They are fed up with what's happening in Washington. They are fed up with both parties. They are fed up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/people-are-fed-up-they-are-fed-up-with-what-s-happening-in-washington/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has taken American politics by storm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-hannity/republican-presidential-candidate-donald-trump-has-taken-american/) [Sean Hannity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-hannity/) > [The only thing we have to fear is fear itself-and possibly teh bogey man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-paulsen/the-only-thing-we-have-to-fear-is-fear-itself-and-possibly-teh-bogey/) [Pat Paulsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-paulsen/) > [Here's the point - and Jonah Goldberg reminds us of this. He wrote a blog post that was titled "The MacGuffinization of American Politics."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/here-s-the-point-and-jonah-goldberg-reminds-us-of-this-he-wrote-a/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [ \[Ronald\] Reagan had an agenda, three agenda items. George W. Bush had some. But \[Donald\] Trump, because people weren't listening, Trump has the longest… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/ronald-reagan-had-an-agenda-three-agenda-items-george-w-bush-had-some/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Affirming belief that America is an exceptional nation has become a test of patriotism in American politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/affirming-belief-that-america-is-an-exceptional-nation-has-become-a/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) > [In his study of Atlanta over the last 60 years, Kevin Kruse convincingly describes the critical connections between race, Sun Belt suburbanization, the rise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-carter/in-his-study-of-atlanta-over-the-last-60-years-kevin-kruse/) [Dan Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-carter/) > [You know, compromise can't be a dirty word in American politics. There's plenty to argue about. Trump administration is still talking about ridiculous tax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/you-know-compromise-can-t-be-a-dirty-word-in-american-politics-there/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [We picked their cotton. We cooked their food. We nursed their babies. Now we can run their cities. We can run their states. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-picked-their-cotton-we-cooked-their-food-we-nursed-their-babies/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Hart is still like that little tub of vaguely milklike gunk that comes with airline coffee. It is labeled a "nondairy" product. Fine: we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/hart-is-still-like-that-little-tub-of-vaguely-milklike-gunk-that/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [For even the most seasoned observers of American politics, Barack Obama is a phenomenon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lammy/for-even-the-most-seasoned-observers-of-american-politics-barack/) [David Lammy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lammy/) > [We are creating a political demolition derby, not a presidential debate. Those strange impulses in the American soul that have produced mud wrestling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-sidey/we-are-creating-a-political-demolition-derby-not-a-presidential/) [Hugh Sidey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-sidey/) > [Would anyone else like to say anything nice about women?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-koppel/would-anyone-else-like-to-say-anything-nice-about-women/) [Ted Koppel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-koppel/) > [“The CIA is behind it all. That’s the conclusion of Mae Brussell—one of America’s foremost assassination experts—a researcher who has collected every pertinent newspaper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-brussell/the-cia-is-behind-it-all-that-s-the-conclusion-of-mae-brussell-one-of/) [Mae Brussell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-brussell/) ## More by Richard Stephenson > [“Politicians did not represent the people who elected them.  They might have held onto the delusion that they served the public, but the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stephenson/politicians-did-not-represent-the-people-who-elected-them-they-might/) [Richard Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stephenson/) > [“No, sir, nothing of consequence happened on the property last night.  Some wildlife did make it on the property and caused”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stephenson/no-sir-nothing-of-consequence-happened-on-the-property-last-night/) [Richard Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stephenson/) > [“own personal screening process as well.  Every person that entered the Castle was a candidate to fight in the coming war against Simon Sterling.   Three times a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stephenson/own-personal-screening-process-as-well-every-person-that-entered-the/) [Richard Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stephenson/) > [“After all, the internet didn't surf itself; someone had to look at strange porn, might as well be Max.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stephenson/after-all-the-internet-didn-t-surf-itself-someone-had-to-look-at/) [Richard Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stephenson/) > [“the lights would come on; when he left, they would fade back down.  Once he was in the kitchen, the lights turned on and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stephenson/the-lights-would-come-on-when-he-left-they-would-fade-back-down-once/) [Richard Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stephenson/) > [“Howard repeated the same routine every day with little deviation. 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They were whores willing to sell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stephenson/politicians-lie-with-almost-every-breath-they-mustered-and-didn-t/) [Richard Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stephenson/) [Explore all 8 Richard Stephenson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stephenson/) ## More American politics quotes > [Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has taken American politics by storm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-hannity/republican-presidential-candidate-donald-trump-has-taken-american/) [Sean Hannity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-hannity/) > [Here's the point - and Jonah Goldberg reminds us of this. He wrote a blog post that was titled "The MacGuffinization of American Politics."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/here-s-the-point-and-jonah-goldberg-reminds-us-of-this-he-wrote-a/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Hart is still like that little tub of vaguely milklike gunk that comes with airline coffee. It is labeled a "nondairy" product. Fine: we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/hart-is-still-like-that-little-tub-of-vaguely-milklike-gunk-that/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [The only thing we have to fear is fear itself-and possibly teh bogey man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-paulsen/the-only-thing-we-have-to-fear-is-fear-itself-and-possibly-teh-bogey/) [Pat Paulsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-paulsen/) > [Would anyone else like to say anything nice about women?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-koppel/would-anyone-else-like-to-say-anything-nice-about-women/) [Ted Koppel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-koppel/) > [We are creating a political demolition derby, not a presidential debate. Those strange impulses in the American soul that have produced mud wrestling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-sidey/we-are-creating-a-political-demolition-derby-not-a-presidential/) [Hugh Sidey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-sidey/) > [For even the most seasoned observers of American politics, Barack Obama is a phenomenon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lammy/for-even-the-most-seasoned-observers-of-american-politics-barack/) [David Lammy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lammy/) > [“The CIA is behind it all. That’s the conclusion of Mae Brussell—one of America’s foremost assassination experts—a researcher who has collected every pertinent newspaper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-brussell/the-cia-is-behind-it-all-that-s-the-conclusion-of-mae-brussell-one-of/) [Mae Brussell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-brussell/) > [We picked their cotton. We cooked their food. We nursed their babies. Now we can run their cities. We can run their states. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-picked-their-cotton-we-cooked-their-food-we-nursed-their-babies/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [You know, compromise can't be a dirty word in American politics. There's plenty to argue about. Trump administration is still talking about ridiculous tax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/you-know-compromise-can-t-be-a-dirty-word-in-american-politics-there/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [In his study of Atlanta over the last 60 years, Kevin Kruse convincingly describes the critical connections between race, Sun Belt suburbanization, the rise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-carter/in-his-study-of-atlanta-over-the-last-60-years-kevin-kruse/) [Dan Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-carter/) > [Affirming belief that America is an exceptional nation has become a test of patriotism in American politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/affirming-belief-that-america-is-an-exceptional-nation-has-become-a/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) > [ \[Ronald\] Reagan had an agenda, three agenda items. George W. Bush had some. But \[Donald\] Trump, because people weren't listening, Trump has the longest… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/ronald-reagan-had-an-agenda-three-agenda-items-george-w-bush-had-some/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [The good news is that the president gets another chance. The bad news is that he'll be two weeks older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/the-good-news-is-that-the-president-gets-another-chance-the-bad-news/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [You can never underestimate the ability of the Democrats to wet their finger and hold it in the wind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-can-never-underestimate-the-ability-of-the-democrats-to-wet-their/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) [Browse all 412 American politics quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-politics/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“American politics had two fatal flaws - flaws that led to its downfall.  The first was corruption.  Politicians lied with almost every breath they mustered and didn’t hesitate to slit each others throats for gain.  They were whores willing to sell their vote to the highest bidder. ”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard Stephenson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stephenson/american-politics-had-two-fatal-flaws-flaws-that-led-to-its-downfall/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American politics" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stephenson/american-politics-had-two-fatal-flaws-flaws-that-led-to-its-downfall/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41c/richard-stephenson-45924_american-politics_american-politics-had-two-fatal-flaws-fl_2904305.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41c/richard-stephenson-45924_american-politics_american-politics-had-two-fatal-flaws-fl_2904305.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41c/richard-stephenson-45924_american-politics_american-politics-had-two-fatal-flaws-fl_2904305.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“American politics had two fatal flaws - flaws that led to its downfall. 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