Political Checks Quotes

I consider the veto power ... to be used only ... to protect the Constitution from violation; secondly, the people from effects of hasty legislation where their will has been probably disregarded or not well understood; and thirdly, to prevent the effects of combinations violative of the rights of minorities.

Anything that keeps a politician humble is healthy for democracy.

Government is not a bottom line enterprise. You can get yourself elected ... but you can't fire the legislature if they won't do what you want.

In Washington, particularly, the loyal opposition has a job to be the opposition. But you can't stop there.

The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositories, and constituting each the guardian of the public weal against invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern, some of them in our country and under our own eyes.

If members of Iran's parliament are prevented from criticizing the judiciary, then they should close down the parliament.

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This, within certain limits, is probably true, and, in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged.

There are certain people within the new government who have a slightly disturbing tendency toward authoritarianism, but there are so many checks and balances that in that way their noises are just noises.

You need to have people within your own party that have the wherewithal to stand up to you.

Today, the most important political instrument in the hands of the opposition is the presidential veto.

If the president does something dastardly, the impeachment process is available.

A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.

The best guarantee against the abuse of power consists in the freedom, the purity, and the frequency of popular elections.