The real difficulty is with the vast wealth and power in the hands of the few and the unscrupulous who represent or control capital. Hundreds of laws of Congress and the state legislatures are in the interest of these men and against the interests of workingmen. These need to be exposed and repealed. All laws on corporations, on taxation, on trusts, wills, descent, and the like, need examination and extensive change. This is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people no longer. It is a government of corporations, by corporations, and for corporations. - How is this?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hayes blames wealthy few and corporations for controlling laws against working people and calls for repeal.
- In plain terms
- Wealthy people and companies control laws against workers so we need to change them.
- What can you take from it?
- Corporate interests must not dominate government intended for the people.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who does the government serve?
- How do you balance wealth and democracy?
Another view
Corporate control can provide economic stability even if it favors the few.
More from Rutherford B. Hayes
Strikes and boycotting are akin to war, and can be justified only on grounds analogous to those which justify war, viz., intolerable injustice and oppression.
Permalink to quote #53 The sacred obligation to the Union soldiers must not - will not be forgotten nor neglected.... But those who fought against the Nation cannot and do not look t…
Permalink to quote #55 The [Loyal] legion has taken the place of the club - the famous Cincinnati Literary Club - in my affections.... The military circles are interested in the same…
Permalink to quote #52
Related quotes
No, let the monarch's bags and others hold The flattering, mighty, nay, al-mighty gold.
John WolcotJohn Wolcot quote #2 There's nothing that will change someone's moral outlook quicker than cash in large sums.
Larry FlyntLarry Flynt quote #6 All, or the greatest part of men that have aspired to riches or power, have attained thereunto either by force or fraud, and what they have by craft or cruelty…
Sir Walter RaleighSir Walter Raleigh quote #29