In the United States, except for slaves, servants and the destitute fed by townships, everyone has the vote and this is an indirect contributor to la… - Alexis de Tocqueville

Rulers who destroy men's freedom commonly begin by trying to retain its forms. ... They cherish the illusion that they can combine the prerogatives of absolute power with the moral authority that comes from popular assent.

In democratic society each citizen is habitually busy with the contemplation of a very petty object, which is himself.

There is hardly a member of Congress who can make up his mind to go home without having despatched at least one speech to his constituents; nor who will endure any interruption until he has introduced into his harangue whatever useful suggestions may be made touching the four-and-twenty States of which the Union is composed, and especially the district which he represents.