Ours is a government of checks and balances. The Mafia and crooked businessmen make out checks, and the politicians and other compromised officials improve their bank balances.

Steve Allen’s quote, "Ours is a government of checks and balances. The Mafia and crooked businessmen make out checks, and the politicians and other compromised officials improve their bank balances," is a satirical commentary on corruption within government and the political system. Allen is mocking the ideal of a government with checks and balances, which is supposed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Instead, he implies that in practice, corruption and bribery dominate the system, with powerful individuals—such as Mafia figures and dishonest businessmen—using their influence to manipulate the politicians and officials for personal gain, thereby enriching themselves through illegal or unethical means.

The origin of this quote comes from Allen’s career as a comedian, writer, and social critic. Known for his sharp wit and satirical take on politics and society, Allen often used humor to highlight serious issues, including the corruption he saw in American politics. In this quote, he plays on the concept of checks and balances—a fundamental principle in the U.S. Constitution meant to prevent abuse of power—by pointing out how the system can be subverted by those with money and influence.

Allen’s comparison of the political system to crooked businessmen and the Mafia highlights his skepticism about the true functioning of government. While the system is designed to ensure fairness and accountability, Allen suggests that it is often manipulated by those who can afford to exert influence, leading to a situation where the politicians and officials grow rich through bribery, kickbacks, and other forms of corruption. The humor here is used to underline the cynicism that many people feel about political systems that seem more focused on enriching the powerful than serving the public.

In essence, Allen’s quote critiques the disparity between the ideal of checks and balances and the reality of a government where corruption, favoritism, and financial manipulation often prevail. By using humor and satire, he highlights the flaws in the political system, suggesting that those in power are more concerned with improving their bank balances than upholding the principles of democracy and fairness.