How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
Those who seek absolute power, even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth. And let me remind you, they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyrannies. (45-46)
Goldwater was probably thinking of some of the fun dictators of recent history, like Hitler and Stalin. Their versions of heaven on earth certainly didn't work out so well for a lot of folks. On the other hand, Barry—generally an opponent of segregation—voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because he didn't think the feds should even be allowed tell people who they could hire or who they had to do business with. Like African Americans, for example. Is it a hellish tyranny to be forced into non-discrimination in hiring and business?
Quote #2
Absolute power does corrupt, and those who seek it must be suspect and must be opposed. (47)
Nobody likes a control freak. Did he think recent presidents like Kennedy and Johnson wanted absolute power? Johnson turned down the chance to run a second time, for Pete's sake.
Quote #3
Equality, rightly understood, as our founding fathers understood it, leads to liberty and to the emancipation of creative differences. Wrongly understood, as it has been so tragically in our time, it leads first to conformity and then to despotism. (49-50)
Barry's argument is that when a government tries to provide people with the things they need in an effort to make them equal, it actually turns them people into dependent clones who'll do anything the government wants as long as the goodies keep coming. You've seen 'em—that Medicare/Social Security crowd sitting at home staring at the walls unable to think for themselves.