Equal protection Quote by Thom Hartmann
““The clause that grants all “persons” equal protection under the law, in context, seems to apply pretty clearly only to human beings “born or naturalized” in the United States of America. But fate and time and the conspiracies of great wealth and power often have a way of turning common sense and logic on its head,””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on constitutional interpretation, 2005
The clause of equal protection is interpreted to protect only citizens, while wealth and power can subvert common sense and logic.
In simple terms: Legal protection often excludes non‑citizens; power can distort fairness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of legal equality and question power structures.
Themes
law
equality
power
citizenship
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- immigration policy
- civil rights litigation
- wealth influence on politics
- public discourse
Key Concepts
constitutional law
social justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How should law adapt to protect non‑citizens?
- Can wealth truly undermine legal fairness?
A Different Perspective
Legal texts may not anticipate future societal shifts.
![“It's time to recognize that under the equal protection clause of the United States [Constitution], same-sex couples should have the same rights as anybody else.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/16f/barack-obama-17_clauses_it-s-time-to-recognize-that-under-the-eq_513183.jpg)
