I do not pretend to have consistent, easily categorized political views. That’s why I call myself a “flaming moderate.” But one attitude I hold pretty consistently is suspicion of concentrated power—in government, in industry, and especially in government and industry! That’s why I felt a kindred spirit in Teddy Roosevelt, as quoted in Morris’s amazing book The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. Teddy’s uncle had finished explaining to a young Teddy that there would always be an inner circle of powerful people able to “control others and obtain the real rewards.” To which Teddy later noted:
“It was the first glimpse I had of that combination between business and politics which I was in after years so often to oppose.”
Seeing what is happening in China today, with government leaders reaping the benefits of their expanding economy, or the U.S., with monied interests unfettered in the wake of Citizens United, and I have to wonder: What would Teddy do?
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