[SauronOfMordor]

"The wizard Saruman, a scholar and originally a good man, is corrupted by the ring. He starts out studying its history and eventually becomes obsessed with having it. In the end he is ruined, done in by the conceit that only he is wise enough to direct its powers toward the proper ends."

I say, without the slightest hint of sarcasm or tongue in cheek, that this is a perfect description of your typical Democratic legislator.

And also your typical Leftist/Communist agitator.

The seductiveness of power is most dangerous to people who percieve themselves to be better/smarter than average. From that follows the idea that the "masses" should be controlled "for their own good". And from THAT inevitably follows the death camps, gulags, and killing fields, because it is inevitable that the masses will not cooperate...

What Tolkein points out is that desire for power over others will corrupt even someone who was originally good

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

What Tolkien points out is that desire for power over others will corrupt even someone who was originally good.

Well I guess you would have to be considered the resident expert on that subject, Sauron.