Author: P. J. O’Rourke

“The eighteenth-century Scottish historian Alexander Tytler said: ‘A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until a majority of voters discover that they can vote themselves largess out of the public treasury.’”

“Government proposes, bureaucracy disposes. And the bureaucracy must dispose of government proposals by dumping them on us.”

“If government were a product, selling it would be illegal.”

“Social Security is a government program with a constituency made up of the old, the near old and those who hope or fear to grow old. After 215 years of trying, we have finally discovered a special interest that includes … Continue reading →

“The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop.”

“There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences.”

“You can’t get rid of poverty by giving people money.”

“Feeling good about government is like looking on the bright side of any catastrophe. When you quit looking on the bright side, the catastrophe is still there”

“The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn’t work and then they get elected and prove it.”

“When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators”