The only way to eliminate any government choice on what art is worthwhile, what art isn't worthwhile, is to get the government totally out of the business of funding.
Antonin ScaliaRead
Wringing your hands about states' rights, forget it. They're gone. Basically, the federal government can do whatever it wants. Who's going to protect the states? My court? Ha - we're feds!
Interpretation
What this quote means
States' rights are diminishing under federal power, and the federal government has significant control.
This quote by Antonin Scalia expresses the reality that states' rights have diminished in the face of federal authority. Scalia's remark suggests an acceptance of the federal government's expansive role and hints at the notion that states have little recourse to challenge this dominance, emphasizing the power dynamics in American governance.
Themes
States' RightsFederal GovernmentAuthorityPower DynamicsAmerican Governance
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate about federalism, one could use this quote to illustrate the challenge of state influence in national policy.
More from Antonin Scalia
All quotes →If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.
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To allow the policy question of same-sex marriage to be considered and resolved by a select, patrician, highly unrepresentative panel of nine is to violate a principle even more fundamental than no taxation without representation: no social transformation without representation.
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Until the courts put a stop to it, public debate over same-sex marriage displayed American democracy at its best. Individuals on both sides of the issue passionately, but respectfully, attempted to persuade their fellow citizens to accept their views.
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Being a good person begins with being a wise person. Then, when you follow your conscience, will you be headed in the right direction.
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If you're going to be a good and faithful judge, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you're not always going to like the conclusions you reach. If you like them all the time, you're probably doing something wrong.
Antonin ScaliaRead
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