There are loads of countries that have nice written constitutions like ours. But there aren't loads of countries where they're followed.

Quote by Stephen Breyer

Topics: Stephen Breyer Quotes

But once the person is selected, at that point that person is independent.

But once the person is selected, at that point that person is independent.

Ultimately, the question of campaign contributions will be decided by the public.

Ultimately, the question of campaign contributions will be decided by the public.

I thought that that was an effort to inject a popular element, a democratic element...

I thought that that was an effort to inject a popular element, a democratic element...

You will read in the newspaper more often about federal courts, but the law that...

You will read in the newspaper more often about federal courts, but the law that...

Nobody wants a judge to be subject to the political whim of the moment.

Nobody wants a judge to be subject to the political whim of the moment.

You can have many different selection systems, but the bottom line has to be a...

You can have many different selection systems, but the bottom line has to be a...

We are selected, but I grew up in California and in San Francisco and there...

We are selected, but I grew up in California and in San Francisco and there...

Well, just that there would be somebody in the office and the voters - it...

Well, just that there would be somebody in the office and the voters - it...

Judges are appointed often through the political process.

Judges are appointed often through the political process.

At least there's a political input, but when you put on the robe, at that...

At least there's a political input, but when you put on the robe, at that...

And in that confirmation process, I sat for 17 hours in front of a senate...

And in that confirmation process, I sat for 17 hours in front of a senate...

Independence means you decide according to the law and the facts.

Independence means you decide according to the law and the facts.

I mean those people who are interested in good government will certainly contribute in order...

I mean those people who are interested in good government will certainly contribute in order...

Independence doesn't mean you decide the way you want.

Independence doesn't mean you decide the way you want.

To threaten the institution is to threaten fair administration of justice and protection of liberty.

To threaten the institution is to threaten fair administration of justice and protection of liberty.

It's important to every American that the law protect his or her basic liberty.

It's important to every American that the law protect his or her basic liberty.

It doesn't help to fight crime to put people in prison who are innocent.

It doesn't help to fight crime to put people in prison who are innocent.

Every citizen has to figure out what kind of government he or she wants.

Every citizen has to figure out what kind of government he or she wants.

And the problem is once you get into this campaign business and begin to have...

And the problem is once you get into this campaign business and begin to have...

People have to be educated and they have to stick to it. If people lose...

People have to be educated and they have to stick to it. If people lose...