Government & Politics

Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. – Ronald Reagan

I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle – Winston Churchill

I’ve always believed that America’s government was a unique political system – one designed by geniuses so that it could be run by idiots – Thomas Friedman

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office – Aesop

In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress – John Adams

Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear – Harry S. Truman

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I’m beginning to believe it – Clarence Darrow

No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it –  John Adams

It is dangerous for a national candidate to say things that people might remember – Eugene McCarthy

We must all hang together or most assuredly we shall hang separately – Benjamin Franklin

People try to live within their income so they can afford to pay taxes to a government that can’t live within its income – Robert Half

A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have – Thomas Jefferson

A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul – George Bernard Shaw

Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner – James Bovard

Liberty is the only thing you cannot have unless you are willing to give it to others – William Allen White

They that can give essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety – Benjamin Franklin

I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it – Voltaire

Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate – John F. Kennedy

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power, the greater it will be – Thomas Jefferson

We in America do not have government by the majority.  We have government by the majority who participate – Thomas Jefferson

A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth – Albert Einstein

When governments fear the people there is liberty.  When the people fear the government there is tyranny – Thomas Jefferson

Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.  Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue – Barry Goldwater

The idea of imposing restrictions on a free economy to assure freedom of competition is like breaking a man’s leg to make him run faster – Morris R. Sayre

Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves – Abraham Lincoln

Information is the currency of democracy – Thomas Jefferson

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians – Charles De Gaulle

Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance.  It is also owed to justice and to humanity.  Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong – James Bryce

I have no country to fight for, my country is the earth, and I am a citizen of the world – Eugene V. Debbs

It is not easy to see how the more extreme forms of nationalism can long survive when men have seen the Earth in its true perspective as a single small globe against the stars – Arthur C. Clarke

I couldn’t help say to Mr. Gorbachev, just think how easy his task and mine might be in these meetings that we held if suddenly there was a threat to this world from another planet.  We’d find once and for all that we really are all human beings here on this earth together – Ronald Reagan