henry george on john vs. george

The more complex and extravagant government becomes, the more it gets to be a power distinct from and independent of the people, and the more difficult does it become to bring questions of real public policy to a popular decision.

Look at our elections in the United States -- upon what do they turn? The most momentous problems are pressing upon us, yet so great is the amount of money in politics, so large are the personal interests involved, that the most important questions of government are but little considered.

The average American voter has prejudices, party feelings, general notions of a certain kind, but he gives to the fundamental questions of government not much more thought than a streetcar horse does to the profits of the line.

- Henry George, Progress and Poverty, 1879

the rest of this work is worth reading too, especially if you're interested in the growing gap between the rich and poor, territorio, or cool economic theories.