Now you have people in Washington who have no interest in the country at all. They're interested in their companies, their corporations grabbing Caspian oil.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the disconnect between politicians and the genuine interests of the country, suggesting that some are more focused on personal gain.
Gore Vidal's quote warns against the self-serving motives of political leaders who prioritize corporate interests over the welfare of their nation. It serves as a critique of cronyism and the influence of corporations on politics, suggesting that when leaders are more invested in their own financial gain, they neglect the responsibilities they have towards the public and the actual issues facing the country.
In practice
During a political debate, one could reference this quote to illustrate the argument about corporate influence in government.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
Growing up in politics I know that women decide all elections because we do all the work.
Though the people support the government; the government should not support the people.
Democracy only has substance if there's the rule of law. That is, if people believe that the votes are going to be counted, and they are counted. If they believe that there's a judiciary out there that will make sense of things if there's some challenge. If there isn't rule of law, people will be afraid to vote the way they want to vote.
A Conservative is a fellow who is standing athwart history yelling 'Stop!'
The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE. The streams of national power ought to flow from that pure, original fountain of all legitimate authority.
There's never going to be a united Ireland, you know.
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