Against the "Trust Us" Omnipotent Airport Authority Mentality
“We need rebirth of the American tradition of leadership at every level of government and in private life as well. The United States of America is unique in world history because it has a genius for leaders–many leaders–on many levels….
“Trust me” government asks that we concentrate our hopes and dreams on one man [or one oligarchy]; that we trust him [or an anointed few] to do what’s best for us. My view of government places trust not in one person or one party, but in those values that transcend persons and parties. The trust is where it belongs–in the people. The responsibility to live up to that trust is where it belongs, in their elected leaders. That kind of relationship, between the people and their elected leaders, is a special kind of compact.”
Detroit, Michigan July 17, 1980. Delivered at the Republican National Convention by Ronald Reagan when accepting the party nomination for president.
Amen, President Regan. Absolute power still corrupts absolutely, even if the abandonment of public rule is lamely justified by arguing “public good” by those responsible for pereptuating the abuse of power.