Quote by H. L. Mencken, The Library

The legislature, like the executive, has ceased to be even the creature of the people: it is the creature of pressure groups, and most of them, it must be manifest, are of dubious wisdom and even more dubious honesty. Laws are no longer made by a rational process of public discussion; they are made by a process of blackmail and intimidation, and they are executed in the same manner. The typical lawmaker of today is a man wholly devoid of principle

The legislature, like the executive, has ceased to be even t

Summary

This quote criticizes modern legislatures and argues that they are no longer representatives of the people but instead puppets controlled by pressure groups with questionable wisdom and honesty. It suggests that laws are no longer created through rational public discussion but rather through blackmail and intimidation. Furthermore, it portrays today's lawmakers as lacking principles. Overall, the quote highlights the speaker's disillusionment with the functioning of contemporary legislatures, implying a deterioration of democratic processes.

Topics

Government

By H. L. Mencken, The Library

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

If someone commits an error and wrong toward you, you must i

If someone commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of others. Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the bearer

No poet or novelist wishes he were the only one who ever liv

No poet or novelist wishes he were the only one who ever lived, but most of them wish they were the only one alive, and quite a number fondly believe their wish has been granted.

Authors & Writing

Mistakes are painful when they happen, but years later a col

Mistakes are painful when they happen, but years later a collection of mistakes is what is called experience.

Mistakes

The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entir

The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble.

Leadership

Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom b

Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs.

Pearl Strachan Hurd

Words

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we g

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

Sir Winston Churchill

And I know this happens because I took economics, and I'd ex

And I know this happens because I took economics, and I'd explain it to ya, but I flunked that course. Not my fault. They taught it at 8 o'clock in the morning. And there is absolutely nothing you can learn out of one bloodshot eye.

Morning

I've never been much of a computer guy at least in terms of

I've never been much of a computer guy at least in terms of playing with computers. Actually until I was about 11 I didn't use a computer for preparing for games at all. I was playing a bit online, was using the chess club mainly. Now, obviously, the computer is an important tool for me preparing for my games.

Computers

A kiss makes the heart young again and wipes out the years.

A kiss makes the heart young again and wipes out the years.

Kisses

Idealists are foolish enough to throw caution to the winds.

Idealists are foolish enough to throw caution to the winds. They have advanced mankind and have enriched the world.

Idealism

Failure gives the bald hairs; equips the novice with experie

Failure gives the bald hairs; equips the novice with experience. The learner, sooner or later, becomes a teacher by it.

Ogwo David Emenike

Failure Motivational Inspirational The Fortune In Failing

To avoid situations in which you might make mistakes may be

To avoid situations in which you might make mistakes may be the biggest mistake of all.

Peter McWilliams, Life 101

Mistakes