Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 18, 1995 TAG: 9501200054
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Humorist Rogers died in 1935, but his pithy commentary on politics, politicians and issues of his era will strike a chord with anyone following current events - from the debate over a balanced-budget amendment to farm subsidies, from negative campaigning to term limits, and even the proposed Bedford city-county consolidation.
Weary of Clinton, Gingrich, gridlock? Wary of Gov. Allen's budget-cutting follies and state legislators' not-ready-for-prime-time revue? One of these Rogersisms may say it best:
``You give us long enough to argue over something and we will bring you in proofs to show that the Ten Commandments should never be ratified.'' ``One of the evils of democracy is you have to put up with the man you elect whether you want him or not. That's why we call it democracy.'' ``Politics is a great character builder. You have to take a referendum to see what your convictions are for that day.''
``Lord, the money we do spend on Government. And it's not a bit better government than we got for one-third the money 20 years ago.'' ``Never blame a legislative body for not doing something. When they do nothing, they don't hurt anybody. It's when they do something is when they become dangerous.'' ``I suggested a plan one time to shorten the Senate debate. Every time a senator tells all he knows, make him sit down. That will shorten it. Some of them wouldn't be able to answer roll call.'' ``They overestimate this Governor thing anyhow. States have good ones, bad ones and every kind, and yet they drag along about the same.'' ``Once a man holds a Public office he is absolutely no good for honest work.''
``Cities are like gentlemen; they are born, not made. You are either a city or you are not. Size has nothing to do with it.'' ``[Campaigning for] the high office of President of the United States has degenerated into two ordinarily fine men being goaded on by their political leeches into saying things that if they were in their right minds they wouldn't think of saying.''
by CNB