Armey's Axioms

Dick Armey

Description

Acclaim for Armey's Axioms

"As I read Armey’s Axioms, my mind immediately went to the man from Springfield, Abraham Lincoln, who cloaked brilliant wisdom with grace and good humor that had its roots in the heartland of America. Without question, Dick Armey is one of the most brilliant and principled men ever to serve in the leadership of the United States House of Representatives. His axioms are a delightful read for anyone seeking to understand the faith, the patriotism, and the integrity that has made America great."
–Dr. M. G. "Pat" Robertson

"In Armey’s Axioms, Dick Armey gives us more than his great sense of humor and Texas-size common sense. With a creative and personal touch, it is the best advice I’ve seen for those who want to make it in Washington, and even better for those who want to make it in life."
–Bob Dole

"We Americans like to cut to the chase when it comes to difficult issues. In Armey’s Axioms, Dick Armey does just that. By skillfully breaking down complex social and moral issues, he presents us with such simple and direct answers that it’s hard not to agree with his logic. Wrapped in wry wit and humor, the book is wise, insightful, and above all, compelling."
–Marlin Maddoux
President, National Center for Freedom & Renewal
host, Point of View radio talk show

"In just ten years, Dick Armey moved from C-SPAN viewer to Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. In Armey’s Axioms he presents some of the lessons he has learned from his years in the House and from country music. . . . It’s a good read, packed with good advice."
–Michael Barone
U.S. News & World Report
coauthor, The Almanac of American Politics
Foreword by Sean Hannity.

Preface.

ARMEY’S ULTIMATE AXIOM: NUMBER 1: Freedom works.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 2: Macho hurts.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 3: Tattoos last forever.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 4: You can’t stand on principle with feet of clay.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 5: You can’t get ahead while you’re getting even.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 6: If you love peace more than freedom, you lose.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 7: If you demagogue it, you own it.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 8: You can’t get your finger on the problem if you’ve got it to the wind.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 9: The politics of greed is wrapped in the language of love.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 10: There is nothing so arrogant as a self-righteous income redistributor.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 11: A little man can whip a big man every time if he’s in the right and keeps on a-comin’.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 12: No one spends someone else’s money as wisely as he spends his own.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 13: If it’s about your power, you lose.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 14: If you make a deal with the devil, you are the junior partner.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 15: If you want the divorce, you give up the house.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 16: Politics sooner or later makes a fool out of everyone.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 17: Political ambition is a great compromiser.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 18: A man will fight like a cornered rat if his chicken manure is at stake.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 19: It’s a wonder how much will get done when people are concerned with who gets the credit.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 20: Insecurity is an audacity in light of the Lord’s promise: I will never leave you nor forsake you.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 21: Liberals love feelings too much, conservatives love facts too much.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 22: If you insist on center stage, you get the tomatoes.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 23: Conservatives believe it when they see it, liberals see it when they believe it.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 24: Conservatives are afraid the public will not understand, liberals are afraid the public will understand.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 25: The greater the pretension, the greater the hypocrisy.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 26: If you don’t weep when you must, you’ll weep forever.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 27: The idea is bigger than the man.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 28: No man can ever lose his daddy’s spurs.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 29: It’s better to be a pleasant surprise than a bitter disappointment.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 30: Your worst enemies are your best friends.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 31: The wise hen doesn’t cackle until the egg is laid.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 32: You can’t hunt with the big dogs dressed like a bone.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 33: Ninety percent of all talk is unnecessary.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 34: If you are going to go ugly, go ugly early.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 35: Never let your face show how bad they are kicking your rear.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 36: Old fogies don’t tolerate young fogies.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 37: Don’t go back and check on a dead skunk.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 38: If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we would all have a merry Christmas.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 39: There is nothing to be learned from the second kick of a mule.

ARMEY’S AXIOM NUMBER 40: Washington is a city of young idealists and old cynics.

Sujets

• American Government
• Political Science
• Arnie
• Arnold Palmer
• Jack Nicklaus
• Arnaud

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 24 août 2007
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780470256794
• Langue: English

Extrait

Armey s Axioms
40 Hard-Earned
Truths from Politics,
Faith, and Life

Dick Armey




John Wiley Sons, Inc.
Copyright 2003 by Dick Armey. All rights reserved
Published by John Wiley Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
Design and production by Navta Associates, Inc.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, [phone], fax [phone], or on the web at www.copyright.com . Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, [phone], fax [phone], email: [e-mail].
Limit of Liability/Disclaimer ofWarranty: While the publisher and the author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
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ISBN 0-471-46913-0
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
In loving memory of Marion and Glenn F. Armey
CONTENTS
Foreword by Sean Hannity
Preface
ARMEY S ULTIMATE AXIOM: NUMBER 1
Freedom works
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 2
Macho hurts
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 3
Tattoos last forever
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 4
You can t stand on principle with feet of clay
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 5
You can t get ahead while you re getting even
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 6
If you love peace more than freedom, you lose
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 7
If you demagogue it, you own it
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 8
You can t get your finger on the problem if you ve got it to the wind
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 9
The politics of greed is wrapped in the language of love
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 10
There is nothing so arrogant as a self-righteous income redistributor
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 11
A little man can whip a big man every time if he s in the right and keeps on a-comin
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 12
No one spends someone else s money as wisely as he spends his own
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 13
If it s about your power, you lose
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 14
If you make a deal with the devil, you are the junior partner
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 15
If you want the divorce, you give up the house
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 16
Politics sooner or later makes a fool out of everyone
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 17
Political ambition is a great compromiser
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 18
A man will fight like a cornered rat if his chicken manure is at stake
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 19
It s a wonder how much will get done when people are concerned with who gets the credit
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 20
Insecurity is an audacity in light of the Lord s promise: I will never leave you nor forsake you
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 21
Liberals love feelings too much, conservatives love facts too much
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 22
If you insist on center stage, you get the tomatoes
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 23
Conservatives believe it when they see it, liberals see it when they believe it
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 24
Conservatives are afraid the public will not understand, liberals are afraid the public will understand
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 25
The greater the pretension, the greater the hypocrisy
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 26
If you don t weep when you must, you ll weep forever
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 27
The idea is bigger than the man
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 28
No man can ever lose his daddy s spurs
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 29
It s better to be a pleasant surprise than a bitter disappointment
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 30
Your worst enemies are your best friends
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 31
The wise hen doesn t cackle until the egg is laid
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 32
You can t hunt with the big dogs dressed like a bone
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 33
Ninety percent of all talk is unnecessary
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 34
If you are going to go ugly, go ugly early
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 35
Never let your face show how bad they are kicking your rear
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 36
Old fogies don t tolerate young fogies
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 37
Don t go back and check on a dead skunk
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 38
If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we would all have a merry Christmas
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 39
There is nothing to be learned from the second kick of a mule
ARMEY S AXIOM NUMBER 40
Washington is a city of young idealists and old cynics
PREFACE
As a professor of economics many years ago, I tried to find a way to capture complex ideas in short, memorable notions. I adopted the convention of Armey s Axioms. This was designed to catch the student s imagination and to give him an amusing handle on difficult ideas. For example, Armey s Axiom number one: The market s rational, the government s dumb had a catchy alliteration and was the predicate for an entire graduate seminar in public choice theory. Since the course was esoteric and difficult, you will be spared from it in this book. However, many of the axioms found in the book were first derived in that course. The approach worked for the students and they enjoyed the axioms so I accumulated quite a few over the years and I shared them generously until they became a natural and expected part of my discussions.
Once I became a member of Congress and later the majority leader, my axioms seemed to get much more notice. I was pleased when other people quoted them. Furthermore, people began to urge me to write them down and put them in a book. Consequently, I began compiling the collection in anticipation of my retirement from Congress. I am now retired, and here they are. Most of them are original with me. Some are borrowed, I regret, from forgotten sources. Wherever possible I have tried to give thanks to those who inspired the axiom. Where I have failed to remember the appropriate acknowledgment, I sincerely apologize.
This book was written primarily for the fun of it, and I hope it will be read for the same reason. Still, the reader may find some worthwhile lessons tucked away in some of the chapters. I have tried to relate each axiom to some event in my life, and I invite readers to do the same for theirs. I want to thank John Wiley Sons for publishing the book, especially Kitt Alan, my publisher, and even more especially Hana Lane, my editor. Hana is a delightful person and generously professional. She seemed to catch the spirit of what I was trying to do and supported it with much insight, encouragement, and, when necessary, discipline. I would hate to think what this effort would be without her. Her insistence on brevity may have saved the project from being excruciatingly boring. Hana taught me that the word that is a good word and that there is no reason on God s green earth to use a semicolon. John Simko did a fine job of coordinating the book s production and keeping me on schedule. Alexa Selph did a marvelous job of copyediting and taught me not to subcontract my punctuation to a diarrhetic fly.
I want to thank my wife, Susan, who painstakingly read every word. Her insights were many and did much to improve the book. I can t tell how many times she saved me from my inner child, with whom I consort far too much. Likewise, I thank Alyne, Betsy, and Ryan Byrd for their many helpful suggestions. Bill and Sherri Detwiler and Ken and Lou Ann Rogers also read the manuscript and offered good advice and encouragement. Our children and parents, along with many associates over the years, inspired much of what is written here. Susan and I are proud of our five children and their spouses. We hope they enjoy this book and can find use of it in raising our grandchildren who bring such joy to our lives.
I want to thank Sean Hannity for his fine foreword. He is a good friend and generous to contribute. Finally, I want to thank the reader for buying the book. As in every good market transaction, now we can both profit.
Armey s Ultimate Axiom Number 1

Freedom works

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
- THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
It is no wonder that everyone cherishes freedom. On some level, we all understand freedom to be our natural condition. Still, in fact, none of us is wholly free, for we are all answerable to God in the end. As our founding fathers said, it is God who gives us freedom in this, our mortal, life. Indeed, the two characteristics that distinguish mankind from all other creatures are intelligence and freedom. Only man has the ability to understand the wonders of the universe and the ability to alter it for his own comfort. No animal can do this. God, the creator, made man in His own image by endowing him with creativity. Not the power to create, for God