Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful. I only aim at the powerful. When satire is aimed at the powerless, it is not only cruel -- it's vulgar. Molly Ivins More Quotes by Molly Ivins More Quotes From Molly Ivins Populism is the simple premise that markets need to be restrained by society and by a democratic political system. We are not socialists or communists, we are proponents of regulated capitalism and, I might add, people who have read American history. Molly Ivins political simple people It's hard to convince people that you're killing them for their own good. Molly Ivins convince killing people We've got the emPHAsis on the wrong sylLAble when it comes to crime in this country. The FBI says burglary and robbery cost U.S. taxpayers $3.8 billion annually. Securities fraud alone costs four times that. And securities fraud is nothing to the cost of oil spills, price-fixing, and dangerous or defective products. Fraud by health-care corporations alone costs us between $100 billion and $400 billion a year. No three-strikes-and-you're-out for these guys. Remember the S&L scandal? $500 billion. Molly Ivins oil country years The recent death of Gene McCarthy reminded me of a lesson I spent a long, long time unlearning, so now I have to re-learn it. It's about political courage and heroes, and when a country is desperate for leadership. There are times when regular politics will not do, and this is one of those times. Molly Ivins hero long country The thing is this: You got to have fun while you're fightin' for freedom, 'cause you don't always win. Molly Ivins having-fun winning fun The Libertarians, of whom I'm rather fond, are running Harry Browne. Libertarians are, just as they claim, principled and consistent - they believe in individual liberty. Commendable as they are, and despite their reliability as allies in civil liberties struggles, you may notice that Libertarians sometimes prove that a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, and that there is a difference between logic and wisdom. Molly Ivins struggle running believe Sit up, join up, get on line, get in touch, find out who's raising hell and join them. No use waiting on a bunch of wussy politicians. Molly Ivins lines use waiting When Michael Jackson, a poor black boy who grew up to be a rich, white woman, married Elvis Presley's daughter the Scientologist. Makes you proud to be an American, dudn't it? Molly Ivins daughter white boys You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to. Molly Ivins matter Politics is not a picture on a wall or a television sitcom that you can decide you don't much care for. Molly Ivins wall care television As they say around the Texas Legislature, if you can't drink their whiskey, screw their women, take their money, and vote against 'em anyway, you don't belong in office. Molly Ivins texas political office Calling George Bush shallow is like calling a dwarf short. Molly Ivins dwarves understanding calling What you need is sustained outrage...there's far too much unthinking respect given to authority. Molly Ivins respect too-much needs Sometimes I think Texas exists as a reality check for those who might wander too far toward the precious. Molly Ivins texas reality thinking I believe that ignorance is the root of all evil. And that no one knows the truth. Molly Ivins ignorance truth believe Manners are just a formal expression of how you treat people. Molly Ivins expression manners people The myth of the inevitability of economic globalization is based largely on the work of Milton Friedman, and easily the most underreported story of our time is that the current economy proves Friedman flatly wrong. Molly Ivins economic-globalization libertarian stories I don't so much mind that newspapers are dying - it's watching them commit suicide that pisses me off. Molly Ivins suicide mind funny Mostly, Texas women are tough in some very fundamental ways. Not unfeminine, nor necessarily unladylike, just tough! Molly Ivins texas fundamentals way Next time I tell you someone from Texas should not be president of the United States, please pay attention. Molly Ivins united-states texas president
