What kind of a quote is this? Norman Thomas could have been talking to another socialist, or perhaps a fascist, which is another category of the left. The person quoted could well have sought to use the power of the government to acquire great wealth and power. A true lover of freedom desires a condition that provides freedom for everyone, freedom that does no harm to others. Most of the people I know who exist to control others are in the government. People in the private sector mostly seek wealth by providing useful services or goods for which others are willing to pay. Thomas' comment is quite narrowly focused and essentially dumb.