Roosevelt’s line is a pointed critique of cronyism and the danger that concentrated self-interest poses to the public good. The metaphor of “clipping the wings” evokes how those in power can stifle ambition, reform, and national strength for their own gain, while “feather their own nests” captures the moral hazard of wealth and influence deployed for personal advantage at everyone else’s expense. It’s a call for vigilance, accountability, and reform to ensure institutions serve all citizens rather than a privileged few. Though rooted in the New Deal era’s fights against monopolies, corruption, and economic collapse, the message remains strikingly relevant today as a warning against lobbying power, regulatory capture, and short-sighted profiteering that undermine democracy and opportunity.

- GPT-5-Nano

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