• partofthevoice@lemmy.zip
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    2 days ago

    Have you forgotten who writes the laws? Some of the most celebrated stories in American culture are those of people who did happen to use their power to limit their power.

    • George Washington: he resigned his military commission instead of becoming a military ruler. Later, after serving two presidential terms, he voluntarily stepped down rather than remaining in office
    • Marvel heros: Superman, Spider-man, Captain America, Batman. All suppress their strength for “good.”
    • The Constitution: separation of powers, checks and balances, term limits, judicial independence. All limiting the power of a strong nation state.

    It’s a recurring theme that the good guys voluntarily limit their own power.

    Which says a lot, particularly about how rare it is. You dont idolize something that is common practice.