Victor Hugo Quotes

The laws that we adopt embody the values and mores of our constituents.

Government is not a bottom line enterprise. You can get yourself elected ... but you can't fire the legislature if they won't do what you want.

They which find themselves grieved under a democracy, call it anarchy.

Government is like fire. If it is kept within bounds and under the control of the people, it contributes to the welfare of all. But if it gets out of place, it gets too big and out of control, it destroys the happiness and even the lives of the people.

Somebody is going to be making the laws for this entire country. It could be you. Will it be you?

The government's intention is to function, to have debates in Parliament, and to work in the interest of the people.

My journey started in the courthouse and went to the statehouse.

Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.

I've been reading this little book. It's called the Russian constitution. And it says that the only source of power in Russia is the people. So I don't want to hear those who say we're appealing to the authorities. Who's the power here?

In Parliament we debate on and we decide the laws that are going to govern the country.

There is also something called the Legislature. There is something called the press. There is something called people. These are all different players on the stage.

Democracy is constructed like an edifice, freedom by freedom, right by right, until it reaches its snapping point.

I came into American politics and into this political system proud of politics and the way we make decisions.

I think I'm pretty politically informed, and I find myself watching Senate hearings on C-SPAN.

I am proud to be in the Senate. I have always been proud to be a part of our political system. It is a remarkable privilege to participate in this system of ours.

I'm not an anarchist. I believe in government.

I leave it up to the government to make good decisions for Americans.

This country has always been run by elite, and it's an elitist democracy. And that's not a radical concept. It's elitist democracy. When people talk about democracy, they don't talk - really talk about participatory democracy, until the point that we get us at Election Day.

Any government is free to the people under it where the laws rule and the people are a party to the laws.

You must build your House of Parliament upon the river: so…that the populace cannot exact their demands by sitting down round you.

Government is like an undershirt. If you don't change it frequently, it begins to stink.

It is the healthiest thing in a democracy when the people who are elected exert power.

[Describing America:] Public opinion, which is there omnipotent, is generally right in its aims ...

To say that sovereignty vests with the people, and that they have not a right to instruct and control their representative is absurd to the last degree.

Our fathers waged a bloody conflict with England, because they were taxed without being represented .... They were not willing to be governed by laws which they had no voice in making; but this is the way in which women are governed in this Republic.