Ernie Fletcher Quotes

Good ideas are the backbone of good government.

So I went into government with a clear mind about what the problems were, and what needed to be done.

It is not an arrogant government that chooses priorities, it's an irresponsible government that fails to choose.

The central issue of our time - of all times - is the size, power and scope of government.

There are a lot of good causes out there, but they can't possibly all be served by government.

You know, President Obama feels very strongly that the government has a responsibility to engage with the American people, as well as with the world community.

Government is not the enemy. Government is simply a tool that can be used wisely or unwisely.

Did somebody dream there is some way that the government doesn't need us?

Government should steer, not row.

The mayor of New York is the chief executive of the city. It is a complex organization and it requires the requisite skills to understand how to be the leader of the people and manage the government of N.Y.

The debate on how to shrink the federal government is at the core of our problem of government not doing its job.

What I want to understand is what I am talking about on the stage. What I don't want to understand is what the government is talking about when the government tells me about taxes.

Priorities are the yearly goals that I'm most interested in achieving, then they become operationalized through weekly goals.

As citizens of this democracy, you are the rulers and the ruled, the law-givers and the law-abiding, the beginning and the end.

The role of government is to steer us in the right direction, not do all the work for us.

It's my job as governor to set a vision.

It's really remarkable when you think about what we don't like about government, we, the people created. So if we created it, we can also fix it.

The cooperation of government at its different levels is important and can only be achieved as long as the people of Chicago are directly involved in our efforts and supportive of our goals.

The Pentagon budget, like all government spending, is an expression of priorities.

This - the leadership of the mayor is crucial, because it is to the mayor that people will look to provide the vision, the energy, and the sense of confidence in the rebuilding and the recovery.

Government, in the last analysis, is organized opinion. Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government.

You should always be questioning your government, but do not become cynical.

A government of, for and by the people, requires much from the people.

We need a liberal agenda in which government resists the temptation to interfere in the lives of individuals but is equally determined to play an active role where creative action can advance the liberties of all.

But as important as the job to be done by government in the neighborhoods, the people must also be involved.