Quotes About Policy

Americans, being a moral people, want their foreign policy to reflect the values we espouse as a nation. But Americans, being a practical people, also want their foreign policy to be effective.

Here's the teaching point, if you're teaching kids about intelligence and policy: Intelligence does not absolve policymakers of responsibility to ask tough questions, and it doesn't absolve them of having curiosity about the consequences of their actions.

It is clear our nation is reliant upon big foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from overseas.

I think we ought to raise the age at which juveniles can have a gun.

it is easier to induce national governments to discriminate against foreign producers than to defend the interests of domestic consumers

What constitutes wise policy . . . will depend on whether the immediate objective of policy is the promotion of political ends, the protection of vested interests, or the satisfaction of consumer needs.

If the terriers and barriffs (sic) are torn down, this economy will grow.

Experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good without the intervention of a coercive power

'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world.

hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is the best policy.

My policy has been, and will continue to be, while I have the honor to remain in the administration of the government, to be upon friendly terms with, but independent of, all the nations of the earth. To share in the broils of none. To fulfil our own engagements. To supply the wants, and be carriers for them all: Being thoroughly convinced that it is our policy and interest to do so.

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations to have as little political connection as possible... Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalships, interest, humor, or caprice?... It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.

Today more Americans are imprisoned for drug offenses than for property crimes

World War II was the last government program that really worked.

The second, sober thought of the people is seldom wrong, and always efficient.

A question which can be answered without prejudice to the government is not a fit question to ask.

Politics is the science of how who gets what, when and why.

A nation without the means of reform is without the means of survival.

In combat, life is short, nasty and brutish. The issues of national policy which brought him into war are irrelevant to the combat soldier; he is concerned with his literal life chances.

'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world - as far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it.

The power to tax involves the power to destroy.

The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to get the most feathers with the least hissing.

The point to remember is that what the government gives it must first take away.

Public instruction should be the first object of government.