There are a number of things wrong with Washington. One of them is that everyone is too far from home.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the disconnect between politicians and their constituents.
Eisenhower's quote reflects his belief that the political leaders in Washington, D.C., have become estranged from the everyday lives and concerns of ordinary citizens. By stating that 'everyone is too far from home,' he suggests that this disconnection hinders their ability to make informed and empathetic decisions for the people they serve.
In practice
During a political debate, a candidate could quote this to emphasize their commitment to staying connected with the community.
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
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I get asked a lot about getting into politics. I say, 'Take a look at politics. You tell me what seems appealing about that.'
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Afghanistan's borders are arbitrary, drawn to meet 19th-century political needs rather than to respect ethnic or religious patterns.
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If American women would increase their voting turnout by ten percent, I think we would see an end to all of the budget cuts in programs benefiting women and children.
Well, we see an increasingly weaker labor movement as a result of the overall assault on the labor movement and as a result of the globalization of capital.
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