The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential program is truly a federal responsibility or whether it can better be handled privately, by voluntary organizations, or by local or state governments.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Government Quotes

Don't begin to think you're the President. You're not. The Constitution provides for only one.

Don't begin to think you're the President. You're not. The Constitution provides for only one.

Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason....

Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason....

You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think,...

You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think,...

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five...

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five...

Control your time. If you're working off your in-box, you're working off the priorities of...

Control your time. If you're working off your in-box, you're working off the priorities of...

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the...

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the...

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the...

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the...

Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying...

Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying...

When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really...

When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really...

Treat each federal dollar as if it was hard earned; it was - by a...

Treat each federal dollar as if it was hard earned; it was - by a...

When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control.

When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control.

Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this...

Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this...

Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war.

Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war.

Look for what's missing. Many advisors can tell a President how to improve what's proposed...

Look for what's missing. Many advisors can tell a President how to improve what's proposed...

Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last....

Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last....

Strive to make proposed solutions as self-executing as possible. As the degree of discretion increases,...

Strive to make proposed solutions as self-executing as possible. As the degree of discretion increases,...

The larger the state, the more callous it becomes... the colder its heart. It is...

The larger the state, the more callous it becomes... the colder its heart. It is...

Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies.

Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies.

A mayor is a symbol and a public face of what a city bureaucracy provides...

A mayor is a symbol and a public face of what a city bureaucracy provides...

A republican stands up in congress and says 'I GOT A REALLY BAD IDEA!!' and...

A republican stands up in congress and says 'I GOT A REALLY BAD IDEA!!' and...

There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real...

There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real...

Send lawyers, guns and money, the shit has hit the fan.

Send lawyers, guns and money, the shit has hit the fan.

The press is like the peculiar uncle you keep in the attic - just one...

The press is like the peculiar uncle you keep in the attic - just one...