Justice William O. Douglas Quote

"Those in power need checks and restraints
lest they come to identify the common good
for their own tastes and desires, and
their continuation in office as essential
to the preservation of the nation."

by:	Justice William O. Douglas (1898-1980), U. S. Supreme Court Justice
Source:	We, The Judges, 1956
Rating:
Categories:	Despotism, Justice, Power, Tyranny, Usurpation
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Thank you Justice Douglas!George,did you get that?  -- Me Again, Your Town,USA      4
This is why I've always thought we need to hang at least one public official, in each state, a year. Whatever happened to a good public hangin' of a corrupt official?  -- Logan, Memphis, TN      4
LOL Logan, can we add to your scenario one federal Supreme Court Justice a year that says something good and then does something to negate it.  -- Mike, Norwalk      4
My mother used to say that all mothers should be drowned at birth, so I guess she would agree with this as well.  -- David L Rosenthal      2
The first part may be sincere, but the second part must be sarcasm.  -- David L. Rosenthal      3
The Constitution is the check and restraint, which is ignored. We need term limits on politicians (congress, senate), as they are NOT "essential to the preservation of the nation" any more than you or I.  -- Joe, Rochester, MI      3
Too bad today's GOP has so successfully removed these from our system of governance... too bad we have allowed them to do so...  -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US      4
A quote of the day ended up here---- not that I oppose or believe in all the statements--- But hears another-- Liberty comes, and liberty goes roses are red, violets are blue. Is it up to you  -- James, traveling      3
The quote, considering the source, is an in your face illustration of how backwards, upside-down and inside-out a once free people have become societies of helots, serfs and slaves. The representative - republican form of government's concept was to have servants administer individual sovereign's rights in a limited domain of life, liberty and property at natural law / common law - ALL POWER being held by the individual sovereign with a united administration ("We The People"). The servants have become demonic power brokers over a once land of the free and home of the brave. Douglas was a tyrannical power usurper, attempting to legislate his version, tastes, and desires from his life long ivory tower - continuation in office being essential to the preservation of a nation of un-checked / un-restrained power brokers.  -- Mike, Norwalk      2
Logan has a pretty good idea.  -- jim k, Austin      1
Douglas is probably most famous for speaking profound truth about liberty while promoting and defending authoritarianism.  -- E Archer, NYC      2

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