I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.
Will RogersRead
On account of being a democracy and run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter what it does.
Interpretation
What this quote means
In a democracy, citizens are obligated to tolerate their government for a set term, regardless of its performance.
Will Rogers highlights a fundamental characteristic of democratic governance: the idea that the citizens of a democracy have to endure their elected government for a specified duration, such as four years in this case, even if the government fails to meet their expectations or fulfill its duties. This expression serves as a commentary on the challenges and responsibilities that come with participating in a democratic system, emphasizing the notion that public accountability is a drawn-out process.
Themes
DemocracyGovernmentCitizenshipAccountabilityVoting
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about civic duties, a speaker might quote this to emphasize the importance of being active in a democracy.
More from Will Rogers
All quotes →People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.
Will RogersRead
Why don't they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as well as prohibition did, in five years Americans would be the smartest race of people on Earth.
Will RogersRead
The 1928 Republican Convention opened with a prayer. If the Lord can see His way clear to bless the Republican Party the way it's been carrying on, then the rest of us ought to get it without even asking.
Will RogersRead
Let advertisers spend the same amount of money improving their product that they do on advertising and they wouldn't have to advertise it.
Will RogersRead
The man with the best job in the country is the vice-president. All he has to do is get up every morning and say, 'How is the president?'
Will RogersRead
Similar quotes
I recognize the Republican Party as the sheet anchor of the colored man's political hopes and the ark of his safety.
Frederick DouglassRead
Transparency concerning the Federal Reserve's conduct of monetary policy is desirable because better public understanding enhances the effectiveness of policy. More important, however, is that transparent communications reflect the Federal Reserve's commitment to accountability within our democratic system of government.
Janet YellenRead
Here is what the practical impact of Citizens United means. What Citizens United means is that corporations call hundreds of millions of dollars into television ads, radio ads, and other forms of advertising to defeat those candidates who stand up and take them on.
Bernie SandersRead
No party has a monopoly on wisdom. No democracy works without compromise. But when Governor Romney and his allies in Congress tell us we can somehow lower our deficit by spending trillions more on new tax breaks for the wealthy - well, you do the math. I refuse to go along with that. And as long as I'm President, I never will.
Barack ObamaRead
We have been taught to regard a representative of the people as a sentinel on the watch-tower of liberty.
Daniel WebsterRead
I have an idea about voting, how about on every ballot we include "None of the above". People may laugh at that, but what that is, it is a vote of no confidence in your government and I'm willing to bet that in some elections, 'None of the Above' would win. Imagine if you won the election but lost to 'None of the Above'. Wouldn't that make you re-think your positions?
Jesse VenturaRead