Theodore White on Pollution of Democracy

Theodore White Money Quotation saying as a political journalist that cash pollutes the
clear functioning of our system of government. Theodore White said:
 

 

The flood of money that gushes into politics today is a pollution of democracy” — Theodore White

This quote from Theodore White suggests that the immense amounts of money flowing into the political process has a corrupting influence on democracy.

The best interpretation is that White believed excessive financial contributions, especially from wealthy special interests, undermine democratic ideals by giving disproportionate power to well-funded entities over individual citizens.

According to White, the “flood of money” drowns out the voices of average voters and allows donors to gain outsized control over policymaking.

The implication is that White saw large political donations as a form of “pollution” contaminating democratic principles of equality and fairness by privileging the role of money over that of individual citizens in elections and governance. He appears to be criticizing the potential for money to erode democratic values through unequal influence and representation.

Steve Sack, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Louis Brandeis on Corporate Oligarchy

Louis D. Brandeis Money Quotation saying over 70 years ago while Supreme Court Justice that we must choose between true representative government or corporate oligarchy ruled by wealth. Louis D. Brandeis said:
 

 

“We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can’t have both” — Louis D. Brandeis

In this quote, Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis is making the argument that concentrated economic power and a robust democratic system are inherently at odds. He suggests it is not possible to maintain a true democracy when wealth is heavily concentrated “in the hands of a few” individuals or corporations.

Brandeis implies that immense financial influence will inevitably be used to shape policy-making and politics in a way that undermines popular representation. The quote conveys Brandeis’ view that democratic governance depends on a broad distribution of economic power that prevents any single group from dominating the political process according to its narrow interests.

He appears to believe measures are needed to deconcentrate wealth in order to protect mass participation and self-rule in society.

Birthday: November 13, 1856 – Death: October 5, 1941

Steve Sack, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Jeffrey Winters on Dollar Dysfunctional Democracy

Jeffrey A. Winters Money Quotation saying wealthy voters cause an unhealthy political system by bending policy to meet their needs. Jeffrey A. Winters said:
 

 

“Democracy appears chronically dysfunctional when it comes to policies that impinge on the rich” — Jeffrey A. Winters

In this quote, Jeffrey A. Winters is making an observation about the challenges of enacting policies that negatively impact wealthy interests within a democratic system. He suggests that democracy can seem perpetually “dysfunctional” when trying to implement reforms that curb the political power of the rich or redistribute wealth in a way they oppose.

Winters appears to be acknowledging that concentrated economic power allows the wealthy to exert disproportionate influence over the policy process in ways that serve their narrow interests, even if certain measures may benefit society more broadly.

The quote conveys Winters’ perspective that democracy struggles to overcome such financial obstacles when addressing issues that impinge upon the privileges of the affluent.

Steve Sack, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Thomas Jefferson: Informed Democracy

Thomas Jefferson Money Quote saying without knowledge, transparency and full disclosure, we are not free and cannot afford to increase the wealth of knowledge. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

“Information is the currency of democracy” — Thomas Jefferson

This quote suggests that Thomas Jefferson saw access to information as important for democracy to function properly. He appears to be drawing a comparison between information and currency, implying that just as money drives economic transactions, the free flow of ideas and facts drives democratic decision making by an informed electorate.

Jefferson seems to have believed that democracy relies on citizens having open access to information from diverse sources in order to make sound judgments in elections and civic participation. The quote conveys Jefferson’s view that transparency and sharing of information is vital for a democratic system, similar to how currency enables commerce.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826