Accepted Quote by Sidney Blumenthal
“I call George W. Bush a radical because he is undertaking a fundamental transformation of our Constitutional system of government and of our longstanding policies that have been accepted for literally generations. He thinks to concentrate unaccountable power in the Executive. He thinks you alter the laws so that, as Commander in Chief, he can determine, under what he says are wartime conditions, what the laws are, which laws should be enforced, and declare by fiat what our policy should be, even abrogating longstanding international treaties.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Commentary on Executive Power, 2005
Concentration of power in the presidency can erode constitutional checks and alter long‑standing policies.
In simple terms: Too much power in one branch threatens democracy.
Key Takeaway
Guard against unchecked executive authority.
Themes
politics
power
constitution
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- legislative oversight
- judicial review
- citizen activism
- media scrutiny
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
separation of powers
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can strengthen checks on executive power?
- How does public awareness affect policy change?
A Different Perspective
Complex geopolitical realities may limit reform options.
![“When most people see the word "radical," they think that it must refer to something left wing. Some people also may think of it as referring to far right-wing marginal groups. But here we have a president of the United States [George W. Bush] at the center of power, sitting in the White House, who…” quote by Sidney Blumenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/628/sidney-blumenthal-17731_george-w_when-most-people-see-the-word-radical-th_2948185.jpg)
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
