American Quotes

I enjoy getting things done. My philosophy is the edge, the edge of something. There's where we have to go in local government, in not only the philosophy but the creativity in people around you. They have to go to the edge.

I don't fight the suburban areas or collar counties. I get along with them; they're former Chicagoans anyway.

I believe the way I describe the problems in Chicago is that it's a metropolitan area. I've said that everywhere. The uneducated child is not just my problem, it's the state's problem. It's also the federal government's problem.

First National Bank laid off 1,000 people; where do they go? There are no jobs for them. So we are having serious economic problems in this country. We are in a real economic crisis.

Everybody would love to be mayor of Chicago. If you look at what we have done over many, many years and where we are today and the commitment by the business community, the commitment by the not-for-profit community - all this coming together - this is a wonderful city.

And then for the first time in history a Cook County state's attorney was reelected for a third time.

And the political system is changing rapidly in this country, and we better realize that. The elephants or donkeys are not what younger people look to. They look at individual candidates' philosophy, and I think it's a different time and a different generation.

Why should a city be mandated to do something by the federal government or state government without the money to do it?

So you keep raising these taxes, and all of a sudden the business community says, 'Why are we here? We can go someplace else and use their phones.' That's one of the problems that directly affects the business community.

Alcohol and drug addiction are problems, and we should use outside agencies that know the business. They do business all over the country. Why don't we contract them to do it? See, we should be in certain businesses.

I've given it my all. I've done my best. Now, I'm ready with my family to begin the next phase of our lives.

What is inherently wrong with the word 'politician' if the fellow has devoted his life to holding public office and trying to do something for his people?

We as Democrats have no apologies to make to anyone.

We all like to hear a man speak out on his convictions and principles. But at the same time, you must understand that when you're running on a ticket, you're running with a team.

The strength of the Democratic Party of Cook County is not something that just happened.

The Democratic Party is the party that opened its arms. We opened them to every nationality, every creed. We opened them to the immigrants. The Democratic Party is the party of the people.

Television and radio do a wonderful job in focusing attention on the problems of our society.

No poll can equal the day-to-day visits of the men and women of the Democratic Party.

I'm not the last of the old bosses. I'm the first of the new leaders.

Good government is good politics.

Even the Lord had skeptical members of His party.

Don't worry if they're Democrats or Republicans. Give them service and they'll become Democrats.

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

A newspaper is the lowest thing there is.

Look at our Lords disciples. One denied Him; one doubted Him; one betrayed Him. If our Lord couldn't have perfection, how are you going to have it in city government?

We have to face it: in America today the way to have fun and celebrate is to break a store window and take something. That's the way it is, today in America, and we have to accept it.

They have vilified me, they have crucified me; yes, they have even criticized me.

The policeman isn't there to create disorder; the policeman is there to preserve disorder.

The police are not here to create disorder, they're here to preserve disorder.

We are proud to have with us the poet lariat of Chicago.