Politics Quotes - Page 32

• Wisdom degenerates in governments as governments increase in age.

  Thomas Paine

  Government, Political, Age

  Thomas Paine (2015). “The Thomas Paine Collection: Common Sense, Rights of Man, Age of Reason, An Essay on Dream, Biblical Blasphemy, Examination Of The Prophecies”, p.157, Ravenio Books

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• "Government," says Swift, "is a plain thing, and fitted to the capacity of many heads."

  Thomas Paine

  Government, Political, Capacity

  Thomas Paine (2011). “Rights of Man”, p.231, Broadview Press

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• As my object was not myself, I set out with the determination, and happily with the disposition, of not being moved by praise or censure, friendship or calumny, nor of being drawn from my purpose by any personal altercation; and the man who cannot do this, is not fit for a public character.

  Thomas Paine

  Determination, Character, Men

  Thomas Paine (2016). “THE RIGHTS OF MAN: The French Revolution – Ideals, Arguments & Motives (Political Classic): Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution”, p.214, e-artnow

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• It is unnatural that a pure stream should flow from a foul fountain its vices are but a continuation of the vices of its origin. A man of moral honor and good political principles, cannot submit to the mean drudgery and disgraceful arts, by which such elections are carried. To be a successful candidate, he must be destitute of the qualities that constitute a just legislator: and being thus disciplined to corruption it is not to be expected that the representative should be better than the man.

  Thomas Paine

  Art, Mean, Successful

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• Public money ought to be touched with the most scrupulous consciousness of honor.

  Thomas Paine

  Political, Honor, Consciousness

  Thomas Paine, John P. Kaminski (2002). “Citizen Paine: Thomas Paine's Thoughts on Man, Government, Society, and Religion”, p.47, Rowman & Littlefield

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• The voting records of virtually every member of Congress reveal that the oath of office is more a ceremonial gesture than a sacred commitment.

  Tom Coburn

  Commitment, Oath Of Office, Political

  Senator Tom Coburn, John Hart (2013). “Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders”, p.19, Thomas Nelson Inc

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• No person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Years, Political, Three

  Thomas Jefferson (1961). “The American Beginnings: The Virginia Declaration of Rights; The Declaration of Independence, in Mr. Jefferson's Original Text, with Some of His Comments Thereon; the Articles of Confederation”

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• The Governor would serve a five-year term and be ineligible for reelection.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Years, Political, Term Limits

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• If many have their turns to rule, ... this will encourage all men to advance Righteousness and that the Commonwealth will hereby be furnished with able and experienced men, fit to govern.

  Gerrard Winstanley

  Men, Political, Term Limits

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• What makes this mentality dangerous is that when the team is held together by careerism and mindless partisanship, individual members are punished for thinking for themselves.

  Tom Coburn

  Team, Thinking, Political

  Senator Tom Coburn, John Hart (2013). “Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders”, p.79, Thomas Nelson Inc

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• Politics and self-interest have been so uniformly connected, that the world, from being so often deceived, has a right to be suspicious of public characters.

  Thomas Paine

  Character, Self, Political

  Thomas Paine (2016). “THE RIGHTS OF MAN: The French Revolution – Ideals, Arguments & Motives (Political Classic): Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution”, p.213, e-artnow

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• The traits in career politicians the public detests most are produced when ego triumphs over principle.

  Tom Coburn

  Careers, Political, Ego

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• Careerism: the self-centered philosophy of governing to win the next election above all else.

  Tom Coburn

  Philosophy, Winning, Self

  Senator Tom Coburn, John Hart (2013). “Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders”, p.19, Thomas Nelson Inc

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• Careerism in Washington "goes to the heart of what's wrong in America right now."

  Tom Coburn

  Heart, America, Political

  Senator Tom Coburn, John Hart (2013). “Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders”, p.10, Thomas Nelson Inc

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• In the old days, land was important as the giver of all things. That period is gone now. Technology and brainpower are all that matters and yet conflicts over land, specially one like on the India-China border, that yields nothing, continue. This is a burden of ancient history that we continue to carry. If tomorrow there is settlement on planet Mars, we will begin to worry if others are interested.

  John Kenneth Galbraith

  Technology, Yield, Land

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• Career politicians do not have the courage to prioritize spending and say no to demanding special interest groups who do not reflect the best interests of the country.

  Tom Coburn

  Country, Careers, Political

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• After a time, civil servants tend to become no longer servants and no longer civil.

  Winston Churchill

  Political, Term Limits, Servant

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• The founding fathers never once rationalized getting in power and having control so they could stay in power.

  Tom Coburn

  Father, Political, Term Limits

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• Statesmen exhibit five key commitments: 1) A commitment to principles above politics; 2) An ability to compromise without abandoning principle; 3) A commitment to truth over spin; 4) A commitment to courage over cowardice; and 5) A commitment, or willingness, to give up power.

  Tom Coburn

  Giving Up, Commitment, Keys

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• "I've become a huge fan of term limits," the former aide said, "because Armey and the others in leadership used to be just like you and your crew in their approach to spending. They have changed over the years."

  Mark Sanford

  Years, Political, Fans

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• I am opposed to term limits because if we did not have seasoned professionals, we would not have the good government that we have.

  George Will

  Government, Political, Term Limits

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• We can achieve much greater representation through term-limited members.

  Tom Coburn

  Political, Term Limits, Achieve

  Senator Tom Coburn, John Hart (2013). “Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders”, p.218, Thomas Nelson Inc

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• As soon as I set foot in the parliamentary Sinai, I ceased to be in touch with the masses.

  Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

  Feet, Political, Sinai

  Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (2011). “Property is Theft!: A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Anthology”, p.19, AK Press

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• I apprehend... that the total abandonment of the principle of rotation in the offices of President and Senator will end in abuse.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Office, Political, Abuse

  Thomas Jefferson, Jerry Holmes (2002). “Thomas Jefferson: A Chronology of His Thoughts”, p.101, Rowman & Littlefield

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• I still recall the excitement & patriotic fervour in Kargil when Tiger Hill was won.

  Narendra Modi

  Patriotic, India, Excitement

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