I am in the pay of the United States government. If I vote against the administration I am voting against my commander-in-chief. If I vote for the administration in office I am being bought.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Patton felt conflicted between civic duty and military loyalty.
- In plain terms
- Voting against the administration felt wrong to him as a soldier.
- What can you take from it?
- Military officers face conflicts in political expression.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you balance duties?
- What is your stance on military voting?
Another view
Civilian control of military is standard but can be complex.
More from George S. Patton
Hold'em by the nose and kick'em in the pants.
Permalink to quote #34 If a man has done his best, what else is there?
Permalink to quote #36 Fixed fortifications are a monument to the stupidity of man. Anything built by man, can be destroyed by him.
Permalink to quote #33
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