“A politician is a man who understands government. A statesman is a politician who's been dead for 15 years.”
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.
“Americans want government that is leaner, more efficient, and less intrusive into their personal lives.”
“A politician is a man who understands government. A statesman is a politician who's been dead for 15 years.”
“But I think it's up to a local congregation to determine whether or not a marriage should be blessed of God. And it shouldn't be up to the government.”
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.”
“What the Lib Dems have failed to do is offer any meaningful agenda for government or for power.”
“It is unclear exactly how many law enforcement agencies are currently using this capability, but it is reasonable to say that while resource limitations used to discourage the government from tracking you without a good reason, these constraints have largely disappeared.”
“As the economy faces such difficulties, more tough questions need to be asked about what the Tories would do if elected. Their ideology of free markets and small government needs challenging. That has to be part of our job.”
“By definition, a government has no conscience. Sometimes it has a policy, but nothing more.”
“Higher taxes is the road to ruin. We must and we will shrink our government, and that means making some tough choices, tightening our belts.”
“In Scotland, the indication is that for the Westminster elections at least, Labour voters are satisfied with their government.”
“Both my parents are English and came out to Australia in 1967. I was born the following year. My parents, and immigrants like them, were known as '£10 poms.' Back then, the Australian government was trying to get educated British people and Canadians - to be honest, educated white people - to come and live in Australia.”
“Democracy is a form of government that substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few.”
“I have long said there are three distinct groups under the GOP's tent: theological warriors, who want to impose their social views on the rest of society Tea Party zealots, who say with a straight face that they want the government to get out of their Medicare and remnants of the pro-business moderates.”
“When any government, or any church for that matter, undertakes to say to its subjects, This you may not read, this you must not see, this you are forbidden to know, the end result is tyranny and oppression no matter how holy the motives.”
“Government has no other end, but the preservation of property.”
“I promised to empower the taxpayer - instead of a handful of big government union bosses.”