John Engler Quotes

Powerful John Engler for Daily Growth

About John Engler

John Engler (born April 28, 1948) is an influential American politician, businessman, and former university president from Michigan. Throughout his illustrious career, Engler has made significant contributions to politics, education, and environmental conservation. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Engler grew up in a working-class family, where he developed a strong work ethic and a passion for public service. He graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting in 1970 and later earned his law degree from the MSU College of Law in 1975. Engler's political journey began when he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1978, serving for four terms before becoming Michigan's Secretary of State in 1983. In 1990, Engler won the governorship and served three terms until 2002. During his tenure as governor, he implemented various reforms, including welfare reform, education reform, and tax cuts that helped spur economic growth in Michigan. After leaving office, Engler returned to MSU, where he served as President from 2003 to 2016. His leadership at the university focused on improving academic programs, research initiatives, and campus infrastructure. In addition to his political career, Engler has been an outspoken advocate for environmental conservation, particularly in Michigan's Great Lakes region. He is a co-founder of the Great Lakes Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem. Throughout his diverse career, John Engler has demonstrated a commitment to public service, education, and environmental conservation. His contributions have left lasting impacts on Michigan and beyond.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The role of government is not to create jobs; it's to create an environment where businesses can create jobs."

This quote emphasizes that the primary function of a government is not to directly employ people, but rather to establish a favorable climate for businesses to thrive and generate employment opportunities. In simpler terms, the role of government should be focused on implementing policies that encourage business growth, such as low taxes, regulatory certainty, and strong infrastructure, rather than trying to create jobs themselves.


"You don't always get what you want in life, but if you work really hard and give 100% every day, you usually get what you need."

This quote emphasizes that while we may not always achieve our specific desires (or 'what we want'), consistent effort and dedication ('working really hard and giving 100% every day') will help us secure the essentials ('usually get what we need'). It encourages resilience, persistence, and a mindset that values effort over immediate success.


"The government needs to focus on the basics: education, transportation, and public safety."

This quote by John Engler emphasizes that the primary role of the government should be to ensure quality in fundamental sectors like education, transportation, and public safety. It suggests that these areas are essential for a well-functioning society and should receive priority attention from governmental bodies. By investing in and improving these sectors, governments can create opportunities for personal growth, facilitate smooth mobility, and maintain an environment that promotes the security and well-being of its citizens.


"I think that when people look at the state of Michigan, they see a state that's moving forward."

This quote by John Engler suggests that he views Michigan as a state that is progressing or improving in some way. It implies optimism about the current state of affairs in Michigan, and perhaps an intention to continue this positive momentum towards growth and development.


"Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." (This quote is often misattributed to John Engler, but it was actually said by Ronald Reagan.)

This quote suggests that overreliance on government as a means to solve problems may ultimately lead to more issues. It implies that sometimes, excessive regulations, bureaucracy, and intervention can create complications and hinder progress or efficiency in society. Instead, the solution to problems lies primarily within the hands of individuals, businesses, and communities themselves. However, it does not dismiss the role of government entirely; rather, it calls for a balance where the government acts as a guiding force without stifling innovation and personal responsibility.


Despite these hurdles, manufacturers in the U.S. and their employees are doing remarkable work.

- John Engler

Work, Doing, Remarkable, Manufacturers

Manufacturers account for nearly 60 percent of all industrial research and development.

- John Engler

Development, Industrial, Manufacturers

Manufacturers employ more than 14 million Americans doing what Americans do best, making things, building things, transforming raw materials into finished products.

- John Engler

Doing, Making, Employ, Manufacturers

All 50 states had the same national economy. And on virtually any measurement you wish to look at, Michigan has moved up and improved against the others.

- John Engler

Michigan, Against, Virtually, National Economy

I had made a decision early on that we were going to do the right things and that if they worked we were going to be very successful. And if for some reason they didn't, all the claims and the protestations and the excuses wouldn't make any difference.

- John Engler

Reason, Some, Very, Claims

You win by working hard, making tough decisions and building coalitions.

- John Engler

Working, Making, Decisions

I just have a position that any child that's in a failing school should be able to get out, or be in a position to have that school fixed.

- John Engler

School, Out, Any, Fixed

Redistricting is one of the purest actions a legislative body can take.

- John Engler

Body, Take, Purest, Redistricting

I wish we could have acted quicker on Detroit or other failing schools.

- John Engler

Wish, Other, I Wish, Detroit

I care about the children of Detroit.

- John Engler

Children, About, I Care, Detroit

I've been in the legislative branch and now the executive branch and in each case I felt it was important we use our constitutional responsibilities to the fullest.

- John Engler

Been, Use, Felt, Legislative

Sometimes it is better to begin the journey, to get under way, then it is to sit back and wait until such time that you're convinced that all conditions are perfect and that there'll be no surprises along the route.

- John Engler

Journey, Wait, Perfect, Surprises

I have an old saying that the harder I work, the luckier I get.

- John Engler

Work, Old, Get, Luckier

I think we've got outstanding teaching in Michigan classrooms.

- John Engler

Think, I Think, Outstanding, Classrooms

And there should not be a limit on the creation of new public schools. We ought to expand choices for parents.

- John Engler

New, Public, Expand, Ought

I'm a compassionate conservative.

- John Engler

Conservative, Compassionate

Very few charter schools are being created in some of the best school districts in the state. If you're an educational innovator, that isn't where the greatest need is.

- John Engler

Some, Very, School Districts, Innovator

I kept telling everyone I wasn't going to Washington to stay. I go to visit.

- John Engler

Everyone, Going, Telling, Visit

As governor, I learned the importance of having an agenda.

- John Engler

Importance, Having, Learned, Agenda

I'm very pleased with the job President Bush is doing and he's off to a terrific start.

- John Engler

Doing, Very, Terrific, President Bush

The greatest luck that I've had has been the ability to find men and women who came into my administration who worked with me and brought extraordinary talents that we were able to take full advantage of.

- John Engler

Luck, Been, Full Advantage, Talents

The asbestos problem impacts everyone.

- John Engler

Problem, Everyone, Impacts

While America's infrastructure needs are substantial, there is no reason to delay completion of the highway bill. Every day of delay means jobs lost, investment opportunities missed and growth sacrificed.

- John Engler

Reason, Completion, Needs, Substantial

Nobody gets any guarantees.

- John Engler

Nobody, Gets, Any, Guarantees

I've gone from being one of the youngest governors to now the longest consecutive serving governor in the country.

- John Engler

Country, Governors, Longest, Serving

Michigan is also the only industrial state that has a AAA credit rating.

- John Engler

Michigan, Only, Industrial, Credit Rating

Given the professionalism of Michigan teachers, I think they're not teaching because of the financial rewards.

- John Engler

Professionalism, Given, Rewards

The parent knows instinctively that if they're working and setting an example for their child that means that child is more likely to be in school, more likely to stay out of trouble and more likely to complete their education.

- John Engler

Parent, Means, Likely, Complete

The Clean Michigan Initiative has been and continues to be a success.

- John Engler

Success, Michigan, Been, Initiative

I don't put labels on myself.

- John Engler

Myself, Put, Labels

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