If you want to understand your government, don't begin by reading the Constitution. (It conveys precious little of the flavor read more

If you want to understand your government, don't begin by reading the Constitution. (It conveys precious little of the flavor of today's statecraft.) Instead, read selected portions of the Washington telephone directory containing listings for all the organizations with titles beginning with the word National.

Here is my first principle of foreign policy: good government at home.

Here is my first principle of foreign policy: good government at home.

He mocks the people who proposes that the government shall protect the rich that they in turn may care for read more

He mocks the people who proposes that the government shall protect the rich that they in turn may care for the laboring poor.

When I am abroad, I always make it a rule to never criticize or attack the government of my own read more

When I am abroad, I always make it a rule to never criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home.

Nothing's more dull and negligent
Than an old, lazy government,
That knows no interest of state,
read more

Nothing's more dull and negligent
Than an old, lazy government,
That knows no interest of state,
But such as serves a present strait.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.

Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.

Our political institutions work remarkably well. They are designed to clang against each other. The noise is democracy at work.

Our political institutions work remarkably well. They are designed to clang against each other. The noise is democracy at work.

Christmas is the time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults read more

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.