110+ Rick Perry Quotes On Government, Education And Politics

Rick Perry is an American politician who served as the 47th Governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015. He was the longest-serving governor in Texas history and ran for the Republican presidential nomination in both 2012 and 2016. Perry is currently serving as the United States Secretary of Energy since 2017. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Rick Perry on leadership, government, education.

Top 10 Rick Perry Quotes

1. The foundation for future prosperity is built on the bedrock of good jobs and great schools. We are building a strong foundation one job at a time and one educated Texan at a time.
2. I may have the genetic coding that Im inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that, and I look at the homosexual issue the same way.
3. I hope I am the Tim Tebow of the Iowa caucuses.
4. Every life is precious.
5. Dark economic clouds are dissipating into an emerging blue sky of opportunity.
6. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we inhabit are not only critical elements in the quality of life we enjoy - they are a reflection of the majesty of our Creator.
7. America needs jobs, smaller government, less spending and a president with the courage to offer more than yet another speech.
8. According to a study by Achieve Incorporated, Texas is the first state to make a college-prep curriculum the standard coursework in high school, starting with this year's ninth grade class.
9. You can always follow me on Tweeter.
10. From time to time there are going to be things that occur that are acts of God that cannot be prevented.

Rick Perry Short Quotes

• The fact is there is forgiveness for those who seek God. And I believe in the power of redemption.
• We want taxpayers, not tax wasters.
• Juarez is reported to be the most dangerous city in America.
• Democracy functions best when we have an active citizenry.
• The most important thing for us is to save lives.
• It takes balls to execute an innocent man.
• Four semesters of organic chemistry made a pilot out of me.
• I'm actually for gun control -- use both hands.
• We must do right and risk the consequences.
• Admit it America - 2008 was our national 'oops' moment!

Rick Perry Quotes About Government

As Americans, we don't see the role of government as guaranteeing outcomes, but allowing free men and women to flourish based on their own vision, their hard work and their personal responsibility. — Rick Perry

Americans want government that is leaner, more efficient, and less intrusive into their personal lives. — Rick Perry

Our citizens are tired of big government raising their taxes and cooking up new ways to micromanage their lives, our citizens are tired of big government killing jobs with their do-gooder policies. In short the people are Fed Up! — Rick Perry

Government that is open and honest will always be able to withstand the light of day. — Rick Perry

My quarrel is not with the legitimate role of government but with the unlimited role of government. — Rick Perry

Conservatives are winning offices, and champions of big government are cleaning out their desks right now. — Rick Perry

In America, the people are not subjects of government, the government is subject to the people. — Rick Perry

This administration in Washington that's in power now clearly believes that government is not only the answer to every need, but it's the most qualified to make the most central decisions for every American in every area. — Rick Perry

When the good lord calls you home, the government ought not come get your home. — Rick Perry

It is through states that the American people get the job done every day, often in spite of a deeply flawed bureaucratic federal government. — Rick Perry

Rick Perry Quotes About Education

Reforming public education, cutting property taxes, fixing adult and child protective services and funding our budget can all occur when Democrats and Republicans engage in consensus and cooperation - not cynicism and combat. — Rick Perry

Eliminate agencies that perform redundant functions... Get rid of the Department of Commerce, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy. — Rick Perry

That the Texas Legislature, that the Texas school boards, the Texas teachers, we collectively know best how to educate our children, rather than some bureaucrat in Washington. — Rick Perry

Texas is a national leader in education reform and student achievement. Through our college- and career-ready standards and assessments, strong school accountability, and a focus on educator development, we have created an education system that prepares our students for success after graduation. — Rick Perry

But if you say that we should not educate children who have come into our state for no other reason than they've been brought there by no fault of their own, I don't think you have a heart. We need to be educating these children, because they will become a drag on our society. — Rick Perry

We should also give students more flexibility in the courses they take in high school to prepare them for whatever their goals may be, without sacrificing our rigorous academic standards. — Rick Perry

I would do away with Education, Commerce, and let's see - the third one I can't. I can't. Oops. — Rick Perry

Yeah, that's a cool name, but it's a monstrous intrusion into our affairs. — Rick Perry

It's... time to introduce scholarship programs that give students a choice, especially those who are locked into low-performing schools. — Rick Perry

Rick Perry Quotes About Politics

We're at the end of an era of failed leadership. We have been led by a divider [Barack Obama] who has sliced and diced the electorate, pitting American against American for political purposes. — Rick Perry

I'll work every day to try to make Washington, D.C., as inconsequential in your life as I can. — Rick Perry

You have a problem with allowing someone to finish speaking. — Rick Perry

We will reverse course on the heavy hand of regulation, discarding Dodd-Frank and any other regulations that advance a political agenda at the expense of jobs and investment on Main Street. — Rick Perry

I am going to give the American people a huge helping of unbridled truth: that we can't continue to spend what we are spending, that we can't avoid entitlement reform because we are afraid of third rail politics. — Rick Perry

It is time to let America be America again. To return freedom to the people. To stand on our founding principles and reject the cynical politics of the Nanny State. — Rick Perry

Rick Perry Quotes About Governor

I'm all about job creation. That's what I've done for ten years as the governor of Texas, and that's what I'm focused on. — Rick Perry

I don't want to be the president of the United States. I do want to work with the governors across the country to make the states more pivotal, more powerful, as they should be. — Rick Perry

There is no one who's gonna be sitting on that stage who has the record of job creation I have. There's one in particular who's created jobs all around the world. While he was the governor of Massachusetts he didn't create many jobs. — Rick Perry

Beautiful, luscious and flowing. Atop the governor's head. — Rick Perry

Rick Perry Quotes About Texas

Our work is before us. It cannot be passed to future legislatures and must not be passed to future generations. May we boldly seize the moment with singular unity. And may we build a Texas of unlimited possibility. — Rick Perry

You know, to preserve our job-friendly climate the Texas legislature didn't raise taxes this last legislative session while balancing their budget and maintaining their reserves - and might I add that our budget leaves $6 billion dollars in a rainy day fund? — Rick Perry

Texas has long been known as the nation's largest energy producer, but we are equally proud of our distinction as the nation's leading energy innovator. — Rick Perry

The citizens of America and the citizens of Texas expect to be able to live in safety in their communities. That's what the rule of law is truly all about. — Rick Perry

Texas created more jobs in 2008 than the rest of the states - combined. — Rick Perry

But it wasn't until I graduated from Texas A & M University and joined the United States Air Force, flying C-130's all around the globe, that I truly appreciated the blessings of freedom. — Rick Perry

When I make a vow to God, then I would suggest to you that's even stronger than a handshake in Texas. — Rick Perry

We can't have deficit spending in Texas. You have to balance your budget every two years. — Rick Perry

Here is what we know after more than a decade of Republican rule: Texas works. Even 'The New York Times' let it slip into its pages that, 'Texas is the future.' — Rick Perry

I don't want to look like Connecticut, no offense, I don't want to look like Oklahoma, I don't want to look like California. I want to be uniquely Texas. And that's not to diss anybody else. — Rick Perry

Rick Perry Quotes About Work

And I think most people in this country want to see a president that's got the courage to say we're going to cut the tax burden, and reduce the regulatory climate, and we're going to get Americans working. — Rick Perry

My deal is have a flat, simple tax. And - Americans want - Americans I hope - aspire to be - be wealthy. I hope they aspire to have a better quality of life. And we have this class warfare that's going on now. And I don't agree with that. I'm interested in people getting to work. — Rick Perry

I'm worried about that man or woman sitting around - the coffee table tonight or in their kitchen talking about how are we going to get to work. How are we going to have the dignity to take care of our family. — Rick Perry

There's places where a secure fence will work, and that strategic type fencing will work. But the idea that people can easily just stand up and say 'let's just build a fence' and be done with it and wipe our hands, and it's going to secure the border, that's not reality. — Rick Perry

Page one of any economic plan to get America working is to give a pink slip to the current resident in the White House. — Rick Perry

You got to have a courageous president to stand up and says, listen, if - if you send a bill to me that spends more money than what we've coming in, I'll veto it. I mean, I'm going to try to work with you the best I can, but I'm going to veto it. — Rick Perry

I don't think Obama understands basic economics. Not economics that work. He may understand some theory that someone in Princeton sat and dreamed up, but it's not working. — Rick Perry

What I learned growing up on the farm was a way of life that was centered on hard work, and on faith and on thrift. Those values have stuck with me my whole life. — Rick Perry

Abstinence works, I know it from my own personal life, abstinence works. — Rick Perry

Rick Perry Quotes About People

If and when we get back to that solid, biblically and constitutionally based foundation in this country, America will be great - and America will be great again because we give people freedom, we dissolve power out of Washington. — Rick Perry

The people who illegally cross into the country are from countries that have very close ties to al Qaeda, whether it's Yemen or Afghanistan, Pakistan, China. It is an absolute national disgrace. — Rick Perry

I disagree with the concept that somehow or another we're going to pack up 10, to 12, to 15 million people and ship them back to the country of origin. That's not going to happen. — Rick Perry

The idea that you're going have zero people crossing the border is unrealistic. But today we know that's not the case. Today we know we've got a porous border and people are coming in, and we don't know who they are. So secure the border then we can have a conversation about it. — Rick Perry

I'm looking at a tax process that will allow people to keep more of their money because we know what happens when job creators get to keep more of their money than they're - they have the confidence to go out and spend that money to create jobs that in turn create wealth. — Rick Perry

America's greatness is not found in the size of its government. America's greatness resides in the hearts and the minds of the people. — Rick Perry

I'm more Jewish than you think I am...I read the part of the Bible that said the Jews are God's chosen people. — Rick Perry

I mean I hate to be conspiratorial, but I mean how do you move that many people from Central America across Mexico and then into the United States without there being a fairly coordinated effort? — Rick Perry

I come by my conservatism authentically, not by convenience. And I offer the American people a new direction. — Rick Perry

Our party cannot be all things to all people. It can't be. Our loudest opponents on the left are never going to like us so let's stop trying to curry favor with them. — Rick Perry

Rick Perry Quotes About Conservative

When it comes to conservative social issues, it saddens me when sometimes my fellow Republicans duck and cover in the face of pressure from the left. Our loudest opponents on the left are never going to like us so let's quit trying to curry favor with them. — Rick Perry

I want you to answer this question: Why should you settle for anything less than an authentic conservative who will fight for your views and values without an apology? Think about that. — Rick Perry

We've got the wind at our back right now. Americans are waking up to the realities of their previous choices. We must keep America moving back to preeminence because our values and conservative ideas are the world's greatest hope. — Rick Perry

I have no question that Newt Gingrich has the heart of a conservative reformer, the ability to rally and captivate the conservative movement. — Rick Perry

I stand before you today as a disciplined conservative Texan, a committed Republican and a proud American, united with you to restoring our nation and revive the American dream. — Rick Perry

Let's stand up. Let's speak with pride about our morals and our values and redouble our effort to elect more conservative Republicans. — Rick Perry

Our shared conservative values, our belief in the individual is the great hope of our nation. — Rick Perry

Rick Perry Quotes About Values

We don't have to apologize for American exceptionalism or western values. — Rick Perry

When you see what has happened in America, driving religion, driving believers from the public square, there is a clear connection to the challenges we have in this country morally, economically, militarily. It goes back to pushing biblical values out of the public square. — Rick Perry

We need men and women with Christian values who know in their souls that America was providentially created and that for the last 200-plus years, when we've gone to God in prayer and asked for guidance, wisdom and strength, God has answered. — Rick Perry

The liberals think government exists to fix what's wrong with America. They find fault with our Constitution, our economic model and our core values. We disagree with the premise of their argument. We believe there's nothing wrong with America that an extra dose of freedom won't cure. — Rick Perry

Rick Perry Famous Quotes And Sayings

Crucial to understanding federalism in modern day America is the concept of mobility, or 'the ability to vote with your feet.' If you don't support the death penalty and citizens packing a pistol - don't come to Texas. If you don't like medicinal marijuana and gay marriage, don't move to California. — Rick Perry

It is time to change our policy of appeasement toward the Palestinians, to strengthen our ties with the nation of Israel. — Rick Perry

I want people of faith on my side, not just voting on election day but by hoisting me up by getting down on your knees and lifting me up in prayer. Those who have a different view of things are already organizing...Will you stand in the gap with those of us who believe there's a God, and a God who is strong? We can stand in the gap together and speak about issues we believe in and we will be victorious. — Rick Perry

We had a $10 billion budget deficit when we got here in January of 2003. We cut that budget deficit; we did not raise taxes; we came back in '05, and we had an $8 billion surplus. That's how fast it can happen. — Rick Perry

I don't think we've ever had a president who has more disdain for Washington than Barack Obama does, and he does things with executive orders or rules that you don't even see. — Rick Perry

Washington's insatiable desire to spend our children's inheritance on failed stimulus plans and other misguided economic theories have given record debt and left us with far too many unemployed. — Rick Perry

The Obama administration is an affront to every freedom-loving American,and a threat to every private sector job in this country. — Rick Perry

I grew up in a house with no running water, 16 miles from the closest place that had a post office. I had a very parochial view of the world. — Rick Perry

I think there are a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling into their projects. And I think we are seeing almost weekly or even daily scientists are coming forward and questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change. — Rick Perry

We need to stop apologizing for celebrating life. We need to stop apologizing for wanting to protect an individual's right to build a business. — Rick Perry

Under Obama, our federal tax dollars can now be used to fund abortion all over the world. With the stroke of a pen, abortion essentially became a U.S. foreign export. — Rick Perry

The great lesson of history for us is that strength and resolve bring peace and order, and weakness and vacillation invite chaos and conflict. — Rick Perry

I got all the respect in the world for the front-runners in this race, but ask yourself: If we replace a Democratic insider with a Republican insider, you think we're really going to change Washington, D.C.? You don't have to settle for Washington and Wall Street insiders who supported the Wall Street bailout and the Obamacare individual mandate. — Rick Perry

To make sure that votes are never canceled out by illegal votes, we instituted a photo ID requirement. And don't you think it's fair to apply at least the same standard required to get a library card or to board an airpane? — Rick Perry

It's a Tenth Amendment issue. If you want Washington, if you want to implement their standards, that's your call... We certainly had higher standards than Common Core, so it was a very easy decision for Texans, myself and the legislature included, to basically say we still believe that Texans know how to best run Texas. — Rick Perry

Those jobs flee other states because of factors like excessive taxation, punitive regulation and frivolous lawsuits. — Rick Perry

I believe in America. I believe in her purpose and her promise. I believe her best days have not yet been lived. I believe her greatest deeds are reserved for the generations to come. — Rick Perry

President Obama's call for nearly a half-trillion dollars in more government stimulus when America has more than $14 trillion in debt is guided by his mistaken belief that we can spend our way to prosperity. — Rick Perry

Obama is a president, who I think is anti-jobs. — Rick Perry

Audie Murphy remains a shining example for anyone who believes in the importance of service, for generations now and into the future. — Rick Perry

Who knew, when you were watching the Verizon ad and the guy said, 'Can you hear me now,' that was really just a mic check for the Obama administration. — Rick Perry

Donald Trump is not softening his position on immigration. — Rick Perry

It's time to believe again in the potential of private enterprise set free from the shackles of over-bearing federal government. — Rick Perry

I think Barack Obama is a socialist. I think he cares for his country - don't get me wrong about that - but I think he truly misunderstands what this country was based upon, the values that America was based upon, which was free enterprise and having the ability to risk your capital and having a chance to have a return on your investment. — Rick Perry

As Americans, we realize that there is no taxpayer money that wasn't first earned through the sweat and toil of one of our citizens. — Rick Perry

I didn't say I was running, did I? — Rick Perry

George W. Bush did an incredible job in the presidency, defending us from freedom. — Rick Perry

Just because you have a group of scientists who stood up and said here is the fact. Galileo got outvoted for a spell. — Rick Perry

Not every child learns for the same purpose, not every child thrives in the same settings and schools. Limiting a child to just one opportunity does nothing more than limit that child's future. The way forward must involve more public charter schools, which offer parents a tuition-free alternative to their neighborhood school. — Rick Perry

Being the governor of a state is a more pivotal job in the future. I do indeed hope there's someone that says, "I'm going to go to Washington, try to get back to our constitutional roots, devolve the centralization of government back to the states." So why would you want to be up there if the action is down here in the states? — Rick Perry

I had the great privilege in 2011 and 2012 of learning a lot about what it takes to run for the presidency of the United States. It is one of the greatest challenges that any human being could take upon themselves. — Rick Perry

Spreading the wealth punishes success while setting America on course for a greater dependency on government. — Rick Perry

Guns require a finger to pull the trigger. — Rick Perry

But of course, now we're told we're in recovery but this sure doesn't feel like a recovery to more than 9 percent of the Americans out there who are unemployed, or the 16 percent of the African-Americans, 11 percent of Hispanics in the same position, or the millions who can only find part-time work or those who have even stopped looking for a job. — Rick Perry

Although Mr. Trump talks an interesting and entertaining game, rarely do I hear him lay out specifics. — Rick Perry

I happily cling to my guns and my God, even if President Obama thinks that that is a simpleminded thing in his elitist heart. — Rick Perry

We believe in government involvement that leads to independence: good schools, quality roads and the best health care. — Rick Perry

It is up to us, to this present generation of Americans, to take a stand for freedom, to send a message to Washington that we're taking our future back from the grips of central planners who would control our healthcare, who would spend our treasure, who downgrade our future and micro-manage our lives. — Rick Perry

The radical Islamic terrorists and their intent to destroy any other religious structure than their radical, wrong-headed view of Islam is one of the great, if not the greatest, challenge we've had in 70 years in America. — Rick Perry

In the myopic world of the liberals, guns are responsible for evil instead of the perpetrator of evil. But criminals are not bound by our laws. That's what makes them criminals. — Rick Perry

I am a firm believer in intelligent design as a matter of faith and intellect, and I believe it should be presented in schools alongside the theories of evolution. — Rick Perry

Armed and law-abiding citizens are a greater deterrent to violent crime than 1,000 laws passed by Congress. — Rick Perry

We do not have to accept our current circumstances. We will change them. We are Americans. That's what we do. — Rick Perry

Scouting ought to be about building character, not about sex. Period. Precious few parents enroll their boys in the Scouts to get a crash course in sexual orientation. — Rick Perry

We find ourselves in what I consider to be the most challenging, difficult, threatening time since World War II because of this War on Terror. — Rick Perry

The economy is very different in the world that we're living in. And I think Americans are looking for executive leadership that actually has some experience of creating jobs. — Rick Perry

I mean, Dodd-Frank is strangling small community banks. It doesn't make any difference what the interest rate is. They're not - they're not going to loan the money because they can't make any money for one thing plus the cost of compliance. — Rick Perry

Our goal is to displace the entrenched powers in Washington, restore the rightful balance between the state and federal government. — Rick Perry

Canada, the United States and Mexico, we developed these energy reserves that we have in this North American region. And you can see a not only driving down the cost of electricity but a major manufacturing boom in this country. Couple that with tax policy, reduction, reducing the corporate tax rate, and that I think a renaissance in manufacturing like we've never seen in this country and really drive the economy. — Rick Perry

We need a president that is sitting down, getting Americans to work, getting this economy going. That is the single most important thing that the president of the United States does, is create a climate where job creators know that they're going to be able to risk their capital and have a chance to have a return on the investment. And it's never too late to start that. — Rick Perry

The God we serve does not seek out the perfect, but instead uses our imperfections and our shortcomings for his greater good. I am humbled by my own limitations. But where I am weak, He is strong. — Rick Perry

Tell the trial lawyers to get out of your state and to quit costing businessmen and women. — Rick Perry

ISIS represents the worst threat to freedom since Communism! — Rick Perry

If you cheat on your wife, you'll cheat on your business partner. — Rick Perry

Life Lessons by Rick Perry

1. Rick Perry's work as an American politician has taught us the importance of staying true to one's convictions and standing up for what is right, even in the face of opposition.
2. He has also shown us the value of hard work and dedication to one's goals, as well as the importance of staying focused on the issues that matter most to the people one serves.
3. Finally, Rick Perry's work has demonstrated the power of effective communication and the ability to reach out to people of all backgrounds and beliefs in order to build bridges and bring people together.