Federal Government Quotes
On power, scale, and the limits of shrinking government
These quotes range from a striking personal claim of embodying federal authority to more measured observations about innovation happening inside government agencies. One closes by noting how difficult it has proven to actually shrink the federal government's footprint. For more on institutions and power, see Civil Wars.
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But no one has yet succeeded in reducing the size or scope of the federal government.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the bold personal claim about being the federal government mean?
It's a striking assertion of authority, with the speaker directly equating themselves with the institution rather than describing their role within it.
Do these quotes suggest the federal government is innovative?
One does, noting that innovators exist within the federal government despite its reputation for being slow-moving or bureaucratic.
Has anyone succeeded in shrinking the federal government, according to these quotes?
No, one quote states plainly that no one has yet managed to reduce its size or scope in any lasting way.
Are these quotes critical or supportive of the federal government?
They're mixed, acknowledging both its capacity for innovation and the ongoing difficulty of making it smaller or more efficient.
Where can I find more commentary spanning different eras and topics?
See our 1990s quotes for more.
Together they show a tension between government's reputation for bloat and its occasional capacity for genuine innovation. Visit Gestures for more short, pointed political commentary.
