Calvin Coolidge Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"It is much more important to kill bad bills than to pass good ones. "

by:	Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) 30th US President
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Categories:	Government, Independence, Power
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Good for him. Historically, the best governments that promote the most individual freedom are those that restrict their policies to the active violations of life, liberty, and property. Again, historically, these governments have faltered, exercised tyrannical dominion, and failed when moving beyond this mark. Government is simply a group of individuals, and is susceptible to every human folly that is found in its society; indeed, elected officials, in countries functioning by a democratic process, are a representation of the people who represent them -- for better or worse. If a people cannot be trusted to govern themselves, how can the government leaders they elect be more trusted? Government is a reflection of the people, because, as in our Republic, it is a reflection of the attitudes, beliefs, and inner-reflection of that country. If I cannot be trusted with my own personal liberty, how can I be trusted to vote? How then can any confidence be placed in the candidate of my choice? Wikiality is a very real thing; as such, it is wise to err on the side of not enough than to look past the mark. The founders of this country did the impossible, when they established a government that decreased government! The times in history when government decreased its power are indeed very, very, very rare. Once government has obtained a little power as it supposes, history repeats that it immediately seeks to gain more power. Kill the bad bills, let the good ones happen in good time... -- Logan, Memphis, TN 5
-- Mike, Norwalk
Calvin Coolidge has the plainest headstone of any of our Presidents. It is a simple, flat stone of the type used in New England cemeteries, except that it has the Presidential Seal on it and a small flag flying. It is at the far end of a row of Coolidge family headstones at a simple village site off the beaten path in Vermont - I hope that's correct. I've been there and been moved by it. Just can never be sure it's not New Hampshire and too lazy to look it up at 3:52AM. He was a man of few words, but he was grounded as few of our leaders were/are. We have a new man in the White House and I can only wish him well, but the sudden rush to action and change does not sit well. Our first trillion dollar budget happened on Nixon's watch. Now our annual deficit is going to be in the trillions. This is not good. Paper money is known to be worthless. What allows it to work is the off switch on the printing press and a trustworthy nation. Absent that, inflation runs rampant. Inflation is a deadly enemy in the long run, but a friend of politicians in the short run. You need a simple test to put things in perspective. Cars work well, so does beer. When Henry Ford set out to build an affordable car for the masses, most cars were $5,000.00 and up and hand built. He did two things. He made a car for $750.00 and raised the wages for his workers so they could afford one. In 1962 a Corvette was $5,000.00. Today it's $55,000.00 and the top end version is $245,000.00. In 1962 a 'vette turned heads and every guy dreamed of having one. Today, I wonder, but then I'm 47 years older. Coolidge speaks to Obama from his cold, New England hillside. There is no sign Obama is listening. -- J. B. Wulff, Bristol, CT 2
I dunno. Sometimes it is better to do something than nothing at all. Like the Fence. Everyone says it won't work but heck it is better than doing nothing. At least it shows energy and effort on the illegal question. First steps must often be taken even if they are not perfect ones. -- Waffler, Smith 1
Bush screwed up by not vetoing 95% of the bills initiated in congress. As to passing bad bills, just watch what the liberals running things do in the next 4 years. Bush was bad but you ain't seen nothing yet. -- jim k, austin 3
Yep, smaller government. -- anon 2
Great quote and true too. But how about an administration rather than a "Govern"ment? (In my dreams...) -- J Carlton, Calgary 3
-- Anonymous
We do not need any more new laws. They aren't 'laws' any way, just more 'rules' and 'statutes.' This last bail out bill does nothing but put money in selected people's pockets, it isn't 'law,' it is graft. -- E Archer, NYC 4
When a bad bill gets through it is almost impossible to get rid of. When a good one gets through it is almost impossible to keep it. The best way for an idea to be thrown out is for it to be tried and have worked. The only reason a bad idea does not work is always explained to be insufficient funding. -- warren, olathe 3
Bush wound up playing tit for tat; I'll sign a Dem bill if they include my Iraq bill. -- Fred, Plymouth Notch 1
An all time favorite. If only most of the legislation passed in the last 15 years had been stopped we would be far better off. -- Tony L., Maryland 1
Perhaps we should pass a bill to kill bad bills... -- Robert, Somewhere in the USA
Accentuate the negative, neglect the positive? Again I'm just amazed at the lack of education in the position of "high" offices, the lack of creativity. -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
Pass a bill requiring Congress not to lie and mislead about the title of any bill! Further establish a non partisan committee of 3 to be required to unaminously agree on the naming of every bill. [anything along these lines would be an improvement on the present fraud e.g. The "non inflation bill" recently passed by Democrats -- T.Hullverson, Scottsdale,az.
Accentuate the positive, but you must be open minded and creative. -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

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