I've always found it easier to be funny than to be serious. Molly Ivins More Quotes by Molly Ivins More Quotes From Molly Ivins What stuns me most about contemporary politics is not even that the system has been so badly corrupted by money. It is that so few people get the connection between their lives and what the bozos do in Washington and our state capitols. Molly Ivins connectionsstatespeople On Bill Clinton: "If left to my own devices, I'd spend all my time pointing out that he's weaker than bus-station chili. But the man is so constantly subjected to such hideous and unfair abuse that I wind up standing up for him on the general principle that some fairness should be applied. Besides, no one but a fool or a Republican ever took him for a liberal. Molly Ivins abusewindmen How the American right managed to convince itself that the programs to alleviate poverty are responsible for the consequences of poverty will someday be studied as a notorious mass illusion. Molly Ivins politicalpartygovernment It's hard to argue against cynics - they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side. Molly Ivins soundsidesarguing Any nation that can survive what we have lately in the way of government, is on the high road to permanent glory. Molly Ivins politicspoliticalgovernment We've had trickle down economics in the country for ten years now, and most of us aren't even damp yet. Molly Ivins economicscountryyears I believe all Southern liberals come from the same starting point--race. Once you figure out they are lying to you about race, you start to question everything. Molly Ivins racebelievelying The trouble with blaming powerless people is that although it's not nearly as scary as blaming the powerful, it does miss the point. Poor people do not shut down factories... Poor people didn't decide to use 'contract employees' because they cost less and don't get any benefits. Molly Ivins scarypowerfulpeople Either we figure out how to keep corporate cash out of the political system or we lose the democracy. Molly Ivins cashdemocracypolitical Every two years, one of the most hotly contested elections in Texas is the poll taken among members of the capitol press corps to determine who are actually the ten stupidest members of the Legislature. Two years ago, there were thirty-seven official nominees and several write-ins. Molly Ivins takenwritingyears Although a life-long fashion dropout, I have absorbed enough by reading Harper's Bazaar while waiting at the dentist's to have grasped that the purpose of fashion is to make A Statement. My own modest Statement, discerned by true cognoscenti, is, "Woman Who Wears Clothes So She Won't Be Naked. Molly Ivins clothesfashionreading Personally, I think government is a tool, like a hammer. You can use a hammer to build or you can use a hammer to destroy; there is nothing intrinsically good or evil about the hammer itself. It is the purposes to which it is put and the skill with which it is used that determine whether the hammer's work is good or bad. Molly Ivins governmentskillsthinking Good thing we've still got politics in Texas - finest form of free entertainment ever invented. Molly Ivins texaspoliticspolitical Whenever you hear a politician carry on about what a mess the schools are, be aware that you are looking at the culprit. Molly Ivins politicianteachingschool Bad policies, stupid policies, gutless policies have real consequences. Molly Ivins politicalrealstupid Anyone who thinks humans are not capable of so fouling their own nest that the land and the waters can no longer be productive just hasn't been paying attention. Molly Ivins landwaterthinking He was so narrow minded he could see through a keyhole with both eyes. Molly Ivins keyholessarcasticeye In Texas, we do not hold high expectations for the [governor's] office; it's mostly been occupied by crooks, dorks and the comatose. Molly Ivins texasofficeexpectations There is no inverse relationship between freedom and security. Less of one does not lead to more of the other. People with no rights are not safe from terrorist attack. Molly Ivins rightsdoepeople Age has given me what I was looking for my entire life - it gave me me. It provided me the time and experience and failures and triumphs and friends who helped me step into the shape that had been waiting for me all my life. Molly Ivins triumphagewaiting
