Simon Cameron on Paid Honesty

Posted by admin on Monday, September 23, 2013

19th Century politician Simon Cameron in a Money Quote saying he is more honest with those who’ve bribed him than to constituents who haven’t paid for his loyalty – forgetting the salary as a source of honesty. Cameron was Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of War. Simon Cameron said:
 

 

“An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought” — Simon Cameron

 

 

In this quote, Simon Cameron is cynically referring to political corruption and the influence of money in elections. By stating that an “honest politician” will “stay bought”, Cameron suggests that once a politician accepts financial support from a donor, they effectively sell their loyalty and will consistently represent that financial backer’s interests, rather than those of the public.

The quote conveys Cameron’s perspective that political principles can be purchased by donors, and elected officials will remain faithful not to their constituents but to their financial supporters. He appears to believe that campaign contributions effectively “buy” politicians’ allegiance, and that accepting such money compromises their independence and duty to citizens.

Birthday: March 8, 1799 – Death: June 26, 1889

Categories: politics Tagged:boughthonestpoliticiansimon cameron