Robert Fulghum Quotes

Too many people in government seem to think they are above regular folks, and I said I would expect humility in the way each member of my team served- that they would recognize that the taxpayer is boss.

Let us all take more responsibility, not only for ourselves and our families but for our communities and our country.

I think it's the height of patriotism to continue to exercise your right as a citizen and to hold your government to account. Isn't that what the very essence of democracy is about?

I happen to respect people who are willing to come under public scrutiny and serve their country.

Most of us think of government as them. Yet government isn't Them: It's us.

You're not patriotic just because you back whoever's in power today or their policies. You're patriotic when you work to improve the lives of the people of your country, your community and your family. Sometimes that means making hard choices, choices that go against your personal interest.

It is one thing to tell the citizens of some faraway country to go to hell, but it is another to do the same to your own citizens, who are supposedly your ultimate sovereigns.

I believe the job of the FBI Director is to be as transparent as possible with the American people because we work for them.

Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well.

Since 9/11, there has been a huge leap in people wanting to get personally involved in public service and international affairs.

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.

I strive to be the best possible president that I can be to work for all of you and to represent out country and all Singaporeans.

I believe that as public servants, we have a shared goal - to deliver to Americans the service they deserve and expect.

The people want government that works for them at every level.

Thus, neither my government nor myself, personally, are without ideals and responsibilities.

We create our own government. We are responsible for its beauty and for its ugliness. We are responsible for its glories and for its failures and, most important, we are responsible for amending those failures no matter who are their most immediate architects.

The most important office, ... that of private citizen.

We want to bring back to Washington people who are more interested in public service than they are in private gain.

We’re a democracy and we’re defended by volunteers.

Public officers are the trustees of the people.

The President can't deliver us. I'm not a package to be picked up at a department store.

When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property.

Healthy skepticism is necessary to the continuation of our democracy. When it turns to paranoia, it becomes destructive. American history has alternated between the two .... A nation where cynicism toward government prevails cannot function effectively.

One of the greatest things that we provide in our democracy is the approachability of public officials.