“The government's War on Poverty has transformed poverty from a short-term misfortune into a career choice.”
Government shapes daily life in ways most people never think about. These quotes cover democracy, policy, power, corruption, civic duty, and the endless debate over how much government is too much — or not enough.
“Television of course actually started in Britain in 1936, and it was a monopoly, and there was only one broadcaster and it operated on a license which is not the same as a government grant.”
“The government's War on Poverty has transformed poverty from a short-term misfortune into a career choice.”
“Americans want government that is leaner, more efficient, and less intrusive into their personal lives.”
“Too often government responds to the whispers of lobbyists before the cries of the people.”
“Open the way before the new government to prove that it is for serving the people.”
“The Left regards the Constitution as defective and outmoded - in part because it impedes the government's ability to control institutions, like churches and families, which stand between the state and individuals.”
“The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place, and common interest produces common security.”
“As I speak to you today, government censors somewhere are working furiously to erase my words from the records of history. But history itself has already condemned these tactics.”
“The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.”
“All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.”
“I don't believe an Alliance government should sponsor legislation on abortion or a referendum on abortion.”
“When one may pay out over two million dollars to presidential and Congressional campaigns, the U.S. government is virtually up for sale.”
“A Conservative Government is an organized hypocrisy.”
“Government itself is founded upon the great doctrine of the consent of the governed, and has its cornerstone in the memorable principle that men are endowed with inalienable rights.”
“We campaigned on the fact that we were going to have to take difficult decisions because of the state of the public finances. When we got into government we discovered that actually the public finances were in an even worse state than we thought.”
“Government is an evil it is only the thoughtlessness and vices of men that make it a necessary evil. When all men are good and wise, government will of itself decay.”