All political power is primarily an illusion. Illusion. Mirrors and blue smoke, beautiful blue smoke rolling over the surface of highly polished mirrors, first a thin veil of blue smoke, then a thick cloud that suddenly dissolves into wisps of blue smoke, the mirrors catching it all, bouncing it back and forth.

Summary

This quote suggests that political power is not inherently real or tangible, but rather a facade that creates an illusion of control. The imagery of mirrors and blue smoke represents the deceptive nature of power, as it can appear solid and substantial but is ultimately fragile and transient. The quote argues that this illusion of power is created and maintained through trickery and manipulation, akin to the way smoke reflects and disperses off mirrors. Ultimately, it implies that political power is not necessarily firm or lasting, often dissolving into nothingness.

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