On Government and Related Foolishness

Our friends in Washington DC are fighting each other again.  The Democrats say they will never agree to fund a wall along the border with Mexico.  President Trump says he will not sign legislation into law to provide money for the US Government operate on, unless it includes funding to build the wall.  The Democrats are accusing the Republicans of wanting to “shut down” the government.  President Trump says that he will be “proud” to shut down the government if that is what is necessary to provide for the national defense and the safety and security of the American people.

To set the record straight, nobody can shut down the entire United States Government.  Some spending is mandated by law, and it will continue.  Further, the last time the government shut down, during the Obama Administration, NOBODY MISSED IT!

So, what are they all afraid of?  It seems to me that the biggest favor our “elected representatives” could do for us might be to stop passing laws and spending money unnecessarily … even if just for a little while.

Following, you will find a few acerbic, funny, and thought provoking quotes about government:

Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.

Will Rogers

I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.

Will Rogers

Giving money and power to government

is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.

P. J. O'Rourke

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time,

and your government when it deserves it.

Mark Twain

Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.

Ronald Reagan

Government exists to protect us from each other.
Where government has gone beyond its limits
is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.

Ronald Reagan

Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many

for appointment by the corrupt few.

George Bernard Shaw

The philosophy of the school room in one generation

will be the philosophy of government in the next.

Abraham Lincoln

I have embraced crying mothers who have lost their children because our politicians put their personal agendas before the national good. I have no patience for injustice, no tolerance for government incompetence, no sympathy for leaders who fail their citizens.

Donald Trump

The best argument against democracy is

a five-minute conversation with the average voter.

 Winston Churchill

Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.

Winston Churchill

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money.

Margaret Thatcher

When there is a lack of honor in government,

the morals of the whole people are poisoned.

Herbert Hoover

My brother Bob doesn't want to be in government - he promised Dad he'd go straight.

John F. Kennedy

The story of Detroit's bankruptcy was simple enough: Allow capitalism to grow the city, campaign against income inequality, tax the job creators until they flee, increase government spending in order to boost employment,

promise generous pension plans to keep people voting for failure.

Rinse, wash and repeat.

Ben Shapiro

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

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed;

and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.

Alexander Hamilton

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. 

George Bernard Shaw

Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. 

George Bernard Shaw

There are a great many other pointed and inspiring quotes to read at:

https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=government

They include the following:

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

James Madison

We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be,

we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds,

we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,

we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.

Winston Churchill

I recognize the need for government.  I just wish our friends in Washington, DC would focus on what is good for the country and the people, and not on what may help them get reelected and make them rich.

One last message to the US Congress.  Our recent experience with caravans of persons who are trying to enter the country illegally proves the need for a wall at the border with Mexico.  The wall is not about thwarting or resisting Donald Trump.  It is about protecting the United States of America and its people.

Build the Wall!