"We all know what Parliament is, and we are all ashamed of it"

This quote by Robert Louis Stevenson is a commentary on the state of politics in his time. He is expressing his dissatisfaction in the federal government and its representatives. He believes that everyone understands the corruption and incompetence of Parliament, and that it gives embarassment for all people. He is recommending that the government is not measuring up to its possible and is not supplying the people with the representation they should have. He is also indicating that the people should be more vocal in their criticism of the government and require much better from their representatives. This quote is a suggestion that residents should be active in their political engagement and hold their government responsible for its actions.