Lord Acton Quotes

We need a government, not politics. Because there's too much politics. Of course there should be debate. But there seems to be so much pettiness and not enough good faith. It is civilized to agree to disagree, and this idea is slowly disintegrating. The great statesmen of the past knew this, and I think it helps drive civilization.

The people have spoken. Their decision is sovereign. We all respect it... I wish good luck to those who will now govern France.

But in the end our government usually - not unfailingly - is responsive to the people; and usually - not always - will try to do what is right.

If God had wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates.

If you present good government, then elections look after themselves.

The Senate floor is and always has been the great arena of our democracy. I spent eight years in my younger life as a boxer, and sometimes when I enter the chamber, I think, 'This is the ring. The American people can see us here and listen to our arguments. This is where the fights matter.'

I believe to go along to get along is unpatriotic. I believe that agreeing with your government on everything they do is unpatriotic. I believe a patriot stands up and holds your government's feet to the fire. Because if you do that, you will get good government.

The fight for reform comes down to a simple goal: giving our citizens the confidence that government serves the people first and the people only.

Corruption is nature's way of restoring our faith in democracy.

The responsibility for good government lies not just with governments themselves but also with every other part of the system they operate in, including media, non-governmental organisations and the public.

Good ideas are the backbone of good government.

President Obama has his faults, but overall, I think, is a good president.

There is a power in public opinion in this country - and I thank God for it: for it is the most honest and best of all powers - which will not tolerate an incompetent or unworthy man to hold in his weak or wicked hands the lives and fortunes of his fellow-citizens.

Good people can disagree - all you want is honesty, because you know, if I disagree, I'm willing to debate you on that, and then let the public decide what's good policy and bad policy.

Thank God for our form of government. The media won't let there be any cover-up.

I will run an open government that speaks with honesty, seeks opinion, listens to its citizens.

There can be no faith in government if our highest offices are excused from scrutiny - they should be setting the example of transparency.

Good government only happens when the people working in it do their jobs, and do them well.

The Australian public are very fair and they are always prepared to give the leader of a major political party a fair go.

I have faith in the United States and our ability to make good decisions based on the facts.

Public confidence in the integrity of the Government is indispensable to faith in democracy; and when we lose faith in the system, we have lost faith in everything we fight and spend for.

This is a country for, of, and by the people not for, of, and by the government. If we turn it over to them we cannot complain about what they're doing because this is a natural course of men and we have to hold their feet to the fire.

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.

The Declaration of Independence says when government fails, the people have the right to replace it. Well, New York State government has failed and the people have the right, indeed the people have the the people have the obligation, to act.

The composition of a common world would be the definition of politics.