Jay Rockefeller Quotes

I try to watch everybody.

Who watches the watchmen?

Surveillance of power is one of the most important ways to ensure that power does not abuse its status. But, of course, power does not like to be watched.

They who are in the highest places, and have the most power, have the least liberty, because they are the most observed.

Gandalf is in Middle-earth to keep an eye on everybody, and that can be a rather serious matter.

We like to keep an eye on the rascals.

The only way we can do oversight is if people tell the truth.

We are considered to be a watchdog, the IEA, and a watchdog fulfils its task only if it barks. So I bark when I think there is a need for barking.

Gotta watch out for directors.

Who will observe the observers?

Responsibility walks hand in hand with capacity and power.

The concept of surveillance is ingrained in our beings. God was the original surveillance camera.

There is a fine line between constructive oversight and unconstructive meddling.

We will just have to tell the House that they will have to accept our judgment and we cannot answer a great many questions that might be asked

The lesson is the importance of never becoming untethered to oversight and accountability.

The greater the power, the greater the responsibility in its exercise.

Someone is always watching or listening.

Trust is fine, but control is better.

Power should be reserved for weightlifting and boats, and leadership really involves responsibility.

I've learned people are watching, so don't do nothing stupid.

Now where people are - at least the people I talk to - they are focused on issues of trust. Accountability also comes up, to make sure that this doesn't happen again.

Accountability breeds response-ability.

Governance is a way of organizing, amplifying, and constraining power.

Wealth and power don't go together. Power cannot be brokered. To me, power is responsibility.

You always hear about delegation, but people make the mistake of delegating and not following up. I give authority, but I stay in touch. Otherwise it doesn't work.