George F. Will Quotes

Our society today is much more Hamiltonian than Jeffersonian.

The American world had - seemingly, at least - become a Jeffersonian world by the election of 1800, which placed Thomas Jefferson in the presidency. Jefferson had been Hamilton's rival in the new government's early years, and Hamilton has figured in the public memory almost as much for that rivalry as for his positive achievements.

The Tea Party movement as I perceive it is all about recognizing the difference between state and federal powers. And that there are limits to federal power that need to be respected.

This Republic was called into being, organized, and is upheld, by a great political doctrine.

The Democrats have come right out and said it: the power of the central government shall have no limits at all.

The genius of American government consists of the creative tension between conservatives on the one hand and liberals on the other hand..

Americans are naturally suspicious of too much government and they see divided government as a safeguard.

By a single Executive, there will be danger of Monarchy or Tyranny. If the Executive consist of three persons, they may act without danger. If of one, he will be dependent on the Legislatures & cannot be impeached till the Expiration of his Office. A single Executive is against the Genius of America.

Particularly as a supposed 'conservative,' Trump ought to know something about the relationship between the federal government and the states.

Much to Mr. Obama's chagrin, ours is not a government run by fiat. The American people have shown quite clearly that they will not simply roll over while this administration seeks to undercut our founding principles in pursuit of its preferred European model of government.

The American Constitution is the greatest governing document, and at some 7,000 words, just about the shortest.

Our Founding Fathers crafted a constitutional Republic for the first time in the history of the world because they were shaping a form of government that would not have the failures of a democracy in it, but had the representation of democracy in it.

The Constitution in all its provisions looks to an indestructible union disposed of indestructible States.

The Constitution and the laws are supreme and the Union indissoluble.

I prefer, in a word, the republican system, because it comes up more nearly to God's system.

First of all, there's no mention of political parties in the Constitution, so you begin American history with not only no political conventions but also no parties.

Our founders insisted that protecting the states' power to govern themselves was vital to limit the power of Washington and preserve freedom.

When Jefferson and the Republicans rallied to the Union and to the existing Federalist organization, the fabric of traditional American democracy was almost completely woven.

The combination of Federalism and Republicanism which formed the substance of the system, did not constitute a progressive and formative political principle, but it pointed in the direction of a constructive formula.

The strongest continuous thread in America's political tradition is skepticism about government.

We are not at liberty to add one jot of power to the national government beyond what the people have granted by the constitution

The Constitution lies at the core of our civil religion.

The United States is dangerously close to becoming a democracy instead of a republic.

The founding fathers set up this country as a republic—not a democracy.

I am sensible that there are defects in our federal government, yet they are so much lighter than those of monarchies, that I view them with much indulgence. I rely, too, on the good sense of the people for remedy, whereas the evils of monarchical government are beyond remedy. If any of our countrymen wish for a King, give them Aesop's fable of the frogs who asked a King; if this does not cure them, send them to Europe. They will go back good republicans.