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
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Without alienation, there can be no politics.
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So efficient are the available instruments of slavery; fingerprints, lie detectors, brain washings, gas chambers; that we shiver at the thought of political change which might put these instruments in the hands of men of hate.
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