"You're defining this concept as a kind of unconditional moral purism."
"But that isn't politics at all. That's religion. That's the standard for Saints."
Roosevelt's voice echoed in the space of his consciousness.
"The meaning of a word lies in its usage. In the context of politics, the term 'the people' never refers to the sum total of every specific, living individual."
"It's a collective concept, the current of history, a kind of greatest common denominator of interests."
"When you have to make a thousand people temporarily endure the pain of being cut off from their medicine to secure affordable drugs for a million people in the future, have you betrayed those thousand people? Yes. But have you betrayed 'the people'? No."
"Because in that moment, you represent the longer-term, grander interest of the people."
"This is the curse of a statesman, and also their glory."
Roosevelt continued.
