Butch Otter Quotes

Politicians should be judged on their actions, rather than necessarily their views on scripture.

Ethics in government has always been important to me.

Thus, neither my government nor myself, personally, are without ideals and responsibilities.

When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property.

I just want people to know that whatever decisions are made on any issue, I'll make them according to what I believe is in the public interest and my own conscience.

I always tried to do what I believed is right and I've always voted the way that I believe was the right way for my constituency, and that's what I'm doing when I govern.

Administrators are there because of the fans and the cricketers to run this game, so credibility of a game, or a board, or even a government for that matter, is important irrespective of what you do. If you are in public life, it is important.

The vast majority of politicians think they are functioning on high principle.

The trust that goes with public service is a heavy burden on those who would lead us.

Armed with purity of intentions and firmness of purpose, I may reasonably entertain the hope of being able to clear the administrative agency of all corruption and incompetency, and impart to it the maximum of honesty and efficiency. I now warn my officials of all ranks that I have fully made up my mind to put down corruption and intrigue wherever they may be found.

The best citizens were supposed to desire honest men in office, men who would not take bribes, men who would appoint high-minded men as their subordinates, men who would look after the public interest, see that public charities were well supported.

Elected officials have always been held to a higher standard, as we should be.

I believe in professionalism, less in politicians.

I could never be a career politician, because I believe in telling the truth.

It is only when there is the supervision and critical oversight from the people that the government will be in a position to do an even better job, and employees of government departments will be the true public servants of the people.

I'm not a politician. I don't want to be a politician, because politicians do what is politically expedient. I want to do what's right.

Good government is the outcome of private virtue.

This idea that you can't be an honest man and a Washington politician is a myth, a crock made up by sellouts and careerist hacks who don't stand for anything and are impatient with people who do. It's possible to do this job with honor and dignity.

It is my hope that as South Carolina senators, that we will stand up for what is best and good about our state.

I am committed to working towards a more transparent, accountable, and ethical federal government worthy of the public's trust.

My task as a citizen is to get the government to do more good and less inefficient and wasteful work.

Having been given that public trust, we have a responsibility to share with the public.

Today, more than ever, citizens demand with good reason that moral and ethical principles be upheld and that exemplariness preside over our public life. And the king, as the head of state, must not only be an example but also a servant to that just and legitimate demand of the citizens.

I don't claim any moral or ethical high ground, but I also have chosen not to run for public office. Shouldn't there be a higher standard of conduct for public officials?

We need more of the Office Desk and less of the Show Window in politics. Let men in office substitute the midnight oil for the limelight.