Anybody who has doubts about the ingenuity or the resourcefulness of a plumber never got a bill from one. George Meany More Quotes by George Meany More Quotes From George Meany Labor never quits. We never give up the fight - no matter how tough the odds, no matter how long it takes. George Meany giving-up fighting odds The basic goal of labor will not change. It is - as it has always been, and I am sure always will be - to better the standards of life for all who work for wages and to seek decency and justice and dignity for all Americans. George Meany dignity-of-work goal justice One cannot have a trade union or a democratic election without freedom of speech, freedom of association and assembly. Without a democratic election, whereby people choose and remove their rulers, there is no method of securing human rights against the state. No democracy without human rights, no human rights without democracy, and no trade union rights without either. That is our belief; that is our creed. George Meany freedom-of-speech rights people Every piece of progressive social legislation passed by Congress in the 20th century bears a union label. George Meany labels pieces struggle Economics was the only profession where a person could be considered an expert without having once been right. George Meany economics financial experts It is impossible to bargain collectively with the government. George Meany bargains government impossible The most persistent threat to freedom, to the rights of Americans, is fear. George Meany persistent threat rights We heard from the abortionists and we heard from the people who looked like Jacks, acted like Jills and had the odors of Johns. George Meany odor heard people The one profession where you can gain great eminence without ever being right. George Meany profession economics gains