"Give a member of Congress a junket and a mimeograph machine and he thinks he is secretary of state"
About this Quote
This quote by Dean Rusk is a criticism of the power and influence of members of Congress. He is suggesting that members of Congress are not as knowledgeable or experienced as they believe they are. He is suggesting that they are easily swayed by the features of power, such as junkets and mimeograph makers, and that they overestimate their own importance and capabilities. He is indicating that members of Congress are not as certified as they think they are to make decisions on matters of state. He is recommending that they are not as educated or knowledgeable as they need to be to make decisions on matters of global significance. He is indicating that members of Congress must not be making decisions on matters of state without proper assessment and advice from experts in the field.
