How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
In the beginning I quoted from the Scriptures. I hope you will understand that I am not quoting Scripture to you to convince you of my goodness personally, because that is a thing between me and my Maker; that is something as to how I stand with my Maker and as to how you stand with your Maker. (51-52)
Regardless of Long's insistence that he's not trying to make himself into a saint, that's exactly what he hoped to accomplish with all his Bible-thumping. Psychologists might call this "spontaneous (i.e., unsolicited) denial." Everyone else calls it #humblebrag.
Quote #2
Both of these men, Mr. Hoover and Mr. Roosevelt, came out and said there had to be a decentralization of wealth, but neither one of them did anything about it. But, nevertheless, they recognized the principle. (63-64)
Huey Long goes on to say he isn't criticizing these men. Just pointing out what great big idiots they are for not doing what they promised they would do.
Quote #3
"Every Man a King." Every man to eat when there is something to eat; all to wear something when there is something to wear. That makes us all a sovereign. (105-107)
This is the by-line that served as the face of Huey Long's campaigns in Louisiana, and it's the motto he'd trumpet from every stump and radio station across the country whenever he got the chance. Every candidate needs a slogan, and this was it.
Quote #4
You cannot solve these things through these various and sundry alphabetical codes. You can have the N. R. A. and P. W. A. and C. W. A. and the U. U. G. and G. I. N. and any other kind of dad-gummed lettered code. You can wait until doomsday and see 25 more alphabets, but that is not going to solve this proposition. Why hide? Why quibble? You know what the trouble is. (108-113)
Here's more criticism of the policies of FDR as ineffectual and even detrimental. Sure the country was turning around now, but those greedy few were the ones really benefitting from all this government meddling anyway. And guess who was going to solve all the problems?
Quote #5
This is Huey P. Long talking, United States Senator, Washington, D.C. Write me and let me send you the data on this proposition. (132-133)
Just in case anyone forgot who he was.
Quote #6
If I had the money, and I wish I had the money, I would like to talk to you more often on this line [NBC radio], but I have not got it, and I cannot expect these people to give it to me free except on some rare instance. (145)
Long plays up his "common man" cred by letting everyone know he's too poor to pay for his own airtime. Shmoop doubts that was true, but whatever; he needed to seem relatable to his audience. Politicians today seem to know that having humble beginnings plays well with audiences, even if you're now a senator or Harvard-trained lawyer or rich businessman. You might be one of the elite, but you have to let people know that your parents sure weren't.