How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
Equality, rightly understood, as our founding fathers understood it, leads to liberty and to the emancipation of creative differences. Wrongly understood, as it has been so tragically in our time, it leads first to conformity and then to despotism. (49-50)
If Barry were writing a five-paragraph argumentative essay on equality for English class, this is what we would call his thesis statement. This is also the only time he actually uses the word "equality"' from here on out, he'll be discussing equality in terms of conformity on one hand and freedom on the other.
Quote #2
Fellow Republicans, it is the cause of Republicanism to resist concentrations of power, private or public, which enforce such conformity and inflict such despotism. It is the cause of Republicanism to ensure that power remains in the hands of the people. (51-52)
…Because if the government—or any shady would-be powergrabber, for that matter—gets ahold of any of the people's power, we might as well all board the train to Clonesville. What would he think was wrong with a program like Medicare ensuring a basic level of health care for all seniors?
Quote #3
We see in the sanctity of private property the only durable foundation for constitutional government in a free society. And beyond that, we see, in cherished diversity of ways, diversity of thoughts, of motives and accomplishments. We do not seek to lead anyone's life for him - we seek only to secure his rights and to guarantee him opportunity to strive, with government performing only those needed and constitutionally sanctioned tasks which cannot otherwise be performed. (116-18)
In case anyone out there was wondering what the government is allowed to do to foster equality, this is it: protect private property. Oh, and take care of any other stuff that is (a) specifically lined out in the Constitution, and (b) couldn't ever in a million years possibly be done by any other entity—maintain an army, for example. Although we hear Jeff Bezos is on the case…
Quote #4
This is a party, this Republican Party, a Party for free men, not for blind followers, and not for conformists. (126)
So just in case anyone was confused, all those conformists out there? They're not Republicans. Republicans aren't sheeple, not like those Democrats across the way.
Quote #5
The beauty of the very system we Republicans are pledged to restore and revitalize, the beauty of this Federal system of ours is in its reconciliation of diversity with unity. We must not see malice in honest differences of opinion, and no matter how great, so long as they are not inconsistent with the pledges we have given to each other in and through our Constitution. Our Republican cause is not to level out the world or make its people conform in computer regimented sameness. Our Republican cause is to free our people and light the way for liberty throughout the world. (135-38)
In other words, people have the right to be offended… and offensive. The point isn't to agree on everything, but to respect and embrace the differences we have, as long as we're all agreeing to basic Constitutional principles.