The quote from Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s "Cat's Cradle" emphasizes the significant influence of the pharmaceutical industry and consumerism on society. It suggests that those who control essential goods, like drugs and groceries, hold power over people's lives and the functioning of the world. This perspective highlights how economic forces shape social structures and priorities.

Moreover, the quote implies a rather ironic view of governance, where foundational democratic principles like a Constitution come second to establishing commercial chains. Vonnegut seems to critique the intertwining of commerce and political power, proposing that societal organization can be warped by the interests of profit rather than genuine democratic values.