Rod Blagojevich Quotes

My friends, history, history calls us to this time and to this place. A solemn choice rests with us - where do we go from here? Do we move slowly and incrementally? Or do we seize the challenge of our time and tackle the great issues of our day.

The legitimate object of government is "to do for the people what needs to be done, but which they cannot, by individual effort, do at all, or do so well, for themselves.

I don't want to come to Washington to be just another vote. I want to lead on issues that are important.

It's a rarity when someone takes a political risk in Washington today in the public interest.

Irrespective of any political party, I am a supporter of good people who want to do something for the society.

Government can contribute to a shared sense of purpose on the part of the citizenry; that's its highest and best application.

The members of the Church, as members of society, have the same right and duty to promote the common good as do other citizens.

Government is a progressive instrument for the common good.

Being a citizen in a democracy involves more than just voting. It means being involved for the common whole.

Join cooperatively with one another, put aside self-interest, and take on service to the public …

Concern for individual well-being is for private citizens .... Princes, who enjoy public possessions, should be concerned with public good.

The Democrats have prevailed because at heart we have embodied a great idea, which is that an elected government can be the instrument of the common purpose of a free people; that government can embrace great causes and do great things.

We need government to do for the people what they cannot do for themselves.

The leader is supposed to represent the community, the public good. He's supposed to be the focal point and the guide and the inspiration, and to represent a concern for the public good. The trouble is, the tragic problem is, very often, when you are a leader and pursue the public good, it may be at the expense of your private interests in a very drastic way

That’s the function of government—to do for people what they cannot do for themselves.

Sometime between elections we should concentrate on doing something.

We need leaders who appeal to us to think about something other than narrow self-interest but instead focus upon the greater good.

I know it may be hard to imagine given how broken and gridlocked our politics truly are, but from the White House to, yes, Congress, the government is filled with hard-working, idealistic public servants working incredibly hard on tough issues, trying to make people's lives better and move the country, and our world, forward.

I have always been very open about my respect for public service.

Throughout my life, I've always believed that the sole purpose of public service is to improve the lives of the people around us. From the Freeport Town Council to serving as Speaker of the State House, I've kept that sense of purpose close to my heart - consistently and passionately asking myself how we make progress.

Fortunately, we Argentines have decided to change. We believe politics needs to be led by public servants with a vocation to give and construct.

One way or another, I want to be a positive force for the people of Louisiana and the United States of America in whatever way I can serve.

To serve the public interest is not the same as being a servant of public opinion.

In the coming days, I know there will be some reflecting on my time as mayor. Many of you will search to find what's behind my decision. It's simple. I have always believed that every person, especially public officials, must understand when it is time to move on. For me, that time is now.

The maxim, that governments ought to train the people in the way in which they should go, sounds well. But is there any reason for believing that a government is more likely to lead the people in the right way than the people to fall into the right way of themselves?