While John Steinbeck seems to have sympathy for socialism, especially in his younger years, and his writings (for example, The Grapes of Wrath) were influential in politics, he still made some very important points that apply to people and institutions in power. Points supporting the need for the restoration and preservation of more liberty. Both personal and economic.

Consider this quote, and apply it to politicians, government bureaucrats (especially jackbooted thugs), parasites (corporate and individual welfare clients), and other large corporations (too many of which are crony capitalists opposed to free markets).

Now, on the face of it, we lovers of liberty have the notion immediately to reject Steinbeck’s comment. It is clearly a rebuttal of Lord Acton’s (John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton) most famous quote:

But perhaps it answers an important question: Why does power corrupt? Steinbeck, despite his political leanings (he never admitted to being a socialist) may have been giving an answer.

The more power we have, the more we fear losing that power. However little we have. If, for example, we enjoy weekends without having to work at a 9-to-5 job, and have our employer tell us otherwise? (… if we want to keep our job.) The idea of losing power over our own schedule and our daily lives causes worry, even fear.

How much more those who have much greater power, whether it is the power of wealth or the power of controlling others.

(We consider another Acton quote: “Liberty is the prevention of control by others.” It is one of several attempts by him to define liberty – a topic for another commentary.)

One of the many examples we have today is the power of having a lot of money. Especially among those who are “public servants” and yet seem somehow to have accumulated incredible amounts of wealth. It is typical of both old parties: we can look at Pelosi, Biden, Obama, on the “Blue” side. But we also should McConnell, Buchanan (of Florida), Sessions (of Texas), and other “Red” types. And not just in federal office: State and local government officials also seem to be able to increase in wealth while “serving the people.”

Of course, they fear the loss of the opportunity to gain more: hence the very poor record of governmental bodies in regulating their members’ investments and campaign funding.

And of course, we can also see how fear causes them to fight such things as term limits. All things concerned, it is quite amazing to see how many State and local offices now have term limits here in the States. (Of course, those of us familiar with the military also can see how such limits incentivize politicians: it is an “up or out” political world.)

Today, Americans – and people in most nations of the world, including our States – have surrendered great power over our personal lives, our living, and our possessions to people in government. And we take for granted that they can use that power to both reward and punish. (Especially, punish.) We give them authority, and they convert that authority to force and use it against the very people who have supposedly given them the authority “of, by, and for the people.”

And to quote Acton again, “Men cannot be made good by the state, but they can easily be made bad.” Fear may be a major factor in why power corrupts, but it is clear that human government is corrupt.

Which is why we, as lovers of liberty, must oppose it.