Assignment #1
Find a quote about government that you like. Post this quote (citing the author of the quote), and explain why you chose it. You will post the quote through the "comment" section located below. To "comment," you will need to register first. The quote can relate to democracy, socialism, communism, oligarchy, etc. Due by Tuesday, August 11.
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If human beings are fundamentally good, no government is necessary; if they are fundamentally bad, any government, being composed of human beings, would be bad also.
ReplyDeleteFred Woodworth
I believe that this quote is absolutely true because as long as there is a government, there will always be problems. No one is perfect, so we can't expect for the government to be perfect as well. We just have to know and trust that the people in authority over us are trying their hardest to do what is best for our country. - Brittany Starrett
"The government is merely a servant-- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them." -Mark Twain.
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because I believe that the government SHOULD be "merely a servant", reflecting the beliefs and desires of the citizens. However, I feel like the government has abused its powers by attempting to originate orders instead of obey them, and does not accurately represent its citizens.
Emma Tingle
"Abraham Lincoln did not go to Gettysburg having commissioned a poll to find out what would sell in Gettysburg. There were no people with percentages for him, cautioning him about this group or that group or what they found in exit polls a year earlier. When will we have the courage of Lincoln?" -Robert Coles
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because the politicians working in our government today have started moving away from 'of the people, by the people, for the people' and have instead begun trying to advance their own careers. No longer do politicians present their personal views on what is best for our country, but what will win the most voters for their re-election. Our government is slowly becoming one of individual gain and glory instead of a united front run for and by the people.
Meredith King
"In this enlightened age, and in this Land of equal liberty, it is our boast that a man's religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the Laws, nor deprive him the right of attaining and holding the highest offices that are known in the United States."
ReplyDeleteGeorge Washington
I chose this quote because Washington believed that not everyone had to believe the same thing. You could hold office no matter what your religious beliefs were. I don't know if I agree with this from every aspect, but I do believe that Christian politians are often viewed in a different light because of their Christianity. This makes it possible for all religions to come together with one goal in mind; governing this nation.
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ReplyDelete"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."- Ronald Reagan
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because I agree with Reagan. He beleived in limited government. The government "helps" by taking taxpayer dollars and funding programs that tend to make people dependent on the government instead of helping themselves. Look at the mess that the government could make trying to reform our nation's healthcare system. That's a scary thought.
The constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government-lest it come to dominate our lives and interest.
ReplyDeletei like this quote because Patrick Henry shows us a reason for the constitution. This quote is about the reason for the creation of the constitution. it is not for the government to restrain its people. it was created for the protection of the American people, not for the government to use for its own use. i think that Patric Henry has started something great in that people will see the real reason for the Constitution and not what the government wants us to think.
"Government is too big and too important to be left to the pliticians." - Chester Bowles
ReplyDeleteRecently in the government there have been very strong examples of politicians misusing the government. Many politicians today are too concerned about getting re-elected than serving and reprosenting the people of this country. Politicians tend to make decision benefitting themeselves and in turn overlook the people. We the people need to prevent this from happening.
My fellow citizens, I utterly reject that view. The American people, the most generous on earth, who created the highest standard of living, are not going to accept the notion that we can only make a better world for others by moving backwards ourselves. Those who believe we can have no business leading the nation.
ReplyDelete-Ronald Reagan's Acceptance Speech to the RNC in 1980
I think this quote is very interesting because it deals with problem that we are facing today. Our government is doing stuff like cap and trade which will weaken our countries economy for "the better of our world." The funny thing about it is that they call global warming climate change now because scientists are realizing that Al Gore and company just pulled off the greatest scam in history. Granted the climate is changing but even left wing scientists are saying that it's not caused by us. Barak Obama is trying to push a universal health care bill that would make our country, which already has the best health care system in the world, even with other countries like Great Britain and Canada.
It may well be that our means are fairly limited and our possibilities restricted when it comes to applying pressure on our government. But is this a reason to do nothing? Despair is not an answer. Neither is resignation. Resignation only leads to indifference, which is not merely a sin but a punishment. -ELIE WIESEL
ReplyDeleteI believe in this quote because it says that if we believe that a policy within our government should be passed or changed we shouldn't give up on our personal beliefs about those policies but continue to fight for what we believe should happen in government because if we don't, we will eventually loose all care for what happens in government-allowing others to determine what laws we should live by.
-Aloma Dunham
experience has shewn, that under the best froms of goverment those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, pervert into tyranny. -Thomas Jefferson
ReplyDeletei believe that this quote is very true. the past has shown that man is very greedy and will do what ever he has to gain more power. that is why our goverment only allows a president to be in office two term.
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." -George Washington
ReplyDeleteThis quote is very true. A dangerous servant and a fearful master are complete opposite. It is true with government also; the government can be dangerous if granted too much power but can also be respected and help you out.
"The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people and a people strong enough and well-informed enough to maintain its sovereign control over the government." -Franklin Delano Roosevelt
ReplyDeleteI think this quote is accurate in that, while a government needs to have some strength so it can protect its citizens, those citizens need to keep control over it in order to keep their freedom. You cannot control your government if you are ignorant of what it's doing or ought to be doing.
"The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the government."
ReplyDelete-Franklin Delano Roosevelt
I think this quote is absolutely true. The only sound way to maintain a government that feeds off of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is to have a leadership working to protect and honor those ideals. It is also important for the people of that country to remain firm in what their country stands for. In today's time I think both of these standards are almost gone. America has lost it's patriotism and our government has lost it's focus on what our founding fathers came here to do.
Christmas is the time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell government what they want and their kids pay for it.
ReplyDelete- Richard Lamm
Over time, this statement has certainly proven to be true. Whenever the government is low on money it seems like education, healthcare, and help for the less fortunate seem to be the first things cut. This not only has an impact on our children but ultimately the future of our country.
Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States. - Ronald Reagan
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because it's so true and relevant to today. Small business owners provide the majority of jobs for Americans and stimulate the economy through their businesses. Many of these owners are considered upper class (even though they're lower upper class), and they provide jobs for the middle class. As the owners' taxes rise, they stop hiring people and even have to let employees go. The middle class is hurt by default, small businesses suffer, and the economy plummets.
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. -- Thomas Jefferson
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote due to the fact that it applies to our government today. Many people in our government are pushing for government controlled everything. People are wanting free handouts and free healthcare and free money to bailout banks. Thomas Jefferson is saying when you cripple those willing to work to appease those who give no effort to better the worldd, democracy ceases to exist. This is socialism.
"that government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves."- Thomas Jefferson
ReplyDeletei like this quote because it tells how government should be, small. through a smaller government all the people make have more freedom to make better desicions on their own instead of the government making them for people. we have strayed so far from this today, but should revert back to our old ideas. a bigger government polutes everything and takes away from personal freedom. as seen in history.
The citizen can bring our political and governmental institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can. --John Gardner
ReplyDeleteI loved this quote basically because i felt like it was the principle that our government was founded on..rule by the people. it shows that we, as citizens, need to be actively involved in our government and that ultimately it's up to us to keep the government in check.
"The government is merely a servant -- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them."
ReplyDelete- Mark Twain
This quote is interesting because it denies the government's ability to overpower the citizens in order to complete a political agenda. Recently the leader of the United States and congress decided to provide funding to major businesses which inevitably leads to government control. Twain would agree that it is not the government’s responsibility to intercede in such a way that would increase power; rather the government should listen to the U.S. citizens and do what is in their best interests because we inexorably pay for these “economy boosters.” America, a democratic-republic, relies on her inhabitants to make the decisions that will ultimately affect the country. Thus the government’s job is only to listen to these “orders” instead of pushing its own political agenda.
"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it.
ReplyDelete-Abraham Lincoln
I really liked this quote because, as Lincoln states, no one deserves freedom when they aren't giving it to everyone in a society. A country that does not allow individual rights is one that God disapproves of and will eventually crumble. I believe America has been such a successful nation because it was founded on Christianity and holds on to it's core beliefs. Let's hope it just stays that way.
No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent. ~Abraham Lincoln
ReplyDeleteI like this quote because it is short and to the point. Abraham is talking about slavery here and he is simply saying that no one should rule over someone else unless they have their permission to.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt was once said that the moral test of Government is how that Government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped. - Humbert H. Humphrey
ReplyDeleteGovernment spends so much money on various things every year, but they are not the most important things. Government should spend money (or not even money) on children, elderly, or sick. Government has welfare system, but it is not the best system and it is not done in the best way. Government should treat the citizens better rather than spending so much money on stimulus packets, which is partially wasting money. Government should govern people, not demand people of money they earned.
A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away. - Barry Goldwater
ReplyDeleteWhen something has so much power to give away, it also has that much power to take all away what has been given. Big government does not do any good but harm on people because once the government becomes so big, it has so much power to control people. Small government and people's big voice is better for our country, because it truely reflects what people needs or desires and government does not just control them like puppets. Government is not meant to meet all our needs or give us all we want. Once the government holds so much power, citizens do not have enough personal life since the government gets into every single bits of our lives. Small government is definitely better than big government with so much power.