Ronald Reagan Quotes

After all, I have spent the better part of my adult life insisting that government be open... that government be accessible... and that government be held accountable to people who voted us into office.

I think we need politicians; we need people who want to serve.

We don’t trust government, but we need government….Government didn’t land here from Mars. We elected them.

The people of Zimbabwe have a responsibility to ensure that the government that they elected behaves properly.

Dishonesty in government is the business of every citizen. It is not enough to do your own job. There's no particular virtue in that. Democracy isn't a gift. It's a responsibility.

I'll remind you all, however, that for government, existence is a privilege, not a right.

As taxpayers, we pay our elected officials to serve the people and protect our state and our interests.

I believe we need to attract a new generation of the best and brightest to public service and I believe that government can be a source of inspiration, not degradation.

I think we should just tip the government if it does a good job. Fifteen percent is the standard tip, isn't it?

Congress is full of good, decent, smart people who have devoted their lives to public service.

Today we must make a pact with each other to end this reckless conduct with the people's government.

Too many people in government seem to think they are above regular folks, and I said I would expect humility in the way each member of my team served- that they would recognize that the taxpayer is boss.

The people want government that works for them at every level.

I also served on many government committees.

I'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work. Of course it doesn't work. We are supposed to work it.

The function of government is to provide you with service; the function of the media is to supply the Vaseline.

Ask not what you can do for your country; ask what your government is doing to you.

It has been my philosophy all my life that good government is good politics.

Healthy skepticism is necessary to the continuation of our democracy. When it turns to paranoia, it becomes destructive. American history has alternated between the two .... A nation where cynicism toward government prevails cannot function effectively.

One of the greatest things that we provide in our democracy is the approachability of public officials.

To what higher station, to what greater glory can any mortal aspire, than to be, during the whole course of his life, the support of good, the control of bad government, and the guardian of public liberty?

Our democracy is only as good as the people who are willing to step up and run for office.

The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or party.

... we, the people, elect leaders not to rule but to serve.

I have enormous respect for people who do run for office.