Rick Perry Quotes

Powerful Rick Perry for Daily Growth

About Rick Perry

Rick Perry, born on March 4, 1950, in Haskell, Texas, is an American politician, farmer, and author who rose to prominence as the Governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015. Before his political career, he served in the United States Air Force and pursued a career in farming. Perry attended Texas A&M University where he studied animal science. He then went on to run a small cotton farm and cattle ranch before entering politics. His agricultural background has greatly influenced his political views, particularly in areas of energy and trade policies. In 1984, Perry was elected as the youngest-ever Agriculture Commissioner for Texas. In 1990, he became the state's Lieutenant Governor, a position he held until his election as Governor in 2000. During his tenure as Governor, Perry implemented several conservative policies, including significant tax cuts and deregulation, which earned him a reputation as a conservative leader. Perry ran for President of the United States in 2012 but suspended his campaign after a poor showing in Iowa and New Hampshire primary elections. In 2015, he announced his retirement from politics and returned to ranching. In addition to his political career, Perry is also an author. His books, such as "Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington" and "On My Honor: Why the American Wants God in School," reflect his conservative political views and values. Despite his retirement from politics, Perry remains a significant figure in Texas Republican politics.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm for more jobs, less government."

The quote by Rick Perry, "I'm for more jobs, less government," signifies a belief in economic freedom and limited government intervention. It suggests that the best approach to creating employment opportunities is through private sector growth, with minimal government involvement, as excessive government may hinder job creation and stifle entrepreneurship. Essentially, this statement advocates for policies that promote a vibrant economy and fewer regulations, with the goal of fostering job creation and prosperity.


"If you don't have a strategy going in, any damn fool can tell you what went wrong."

This quote by Rick Perry emphasizes the importance of having a clear strategy or plan before embarking on any endeavor. It suggests that without a well-thought-out strategy, it is easy for anyone to identify where things went wrong, as they can point out the obvious missteps due to the lack of preparation and forethought. In other words, having no plan increases the likelihood of making mistakes or experiencing failures. A strategic approach helps minimize those risks and improves the chances of success.


"Texas is a unique place. We've got a great climate, first-rate institutions of learning, and low living costs."

The quote reflects Texas Governor Rick Perry's perspective that Texas is exceptional due to several key factors: its favorable climate, high-quality educational institutions, and relatively low cost of living. These aspects are often attractive for individuals seeking a place with good weather, access to quality education, and affordable expenses. In essence, Perry's quote emphasizes the unique blend of advantages Texas offers compared to other regions in the U.S.


"We're either the energy capital of North America or we will be at some point in the future."

The quote implies that Texas, given its abundant energy resources, has a strategic position as the "energy capital" of North America. This means it leads or has the potential to lead in energy production within North America, which includes Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It signifies economic power and influence, particularly in the global energy market.


"I think there's a span of time where Washington doesn't intrude on your day-to-day considerations."

This quote by Rick Perry suggests that he believes there exists a period or extent, in regards to government intervention, where individuals can carry out their daily lives without undue influence from Washington (the U.S. federal government). In other words, it implies a desire for limited federal involvement in personal matters and local affairs, promoting self-reliance and autonomy at the state and individual level.


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

Need, Area, Administration, Qualified

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

Conservative, Republicans, Duck

Guns require a finger to pull the trigger.

- Rick Perry

Guns, Finger, Pull, Trigger

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

Abortion, Over, Became, Foreign

Somebody has to tell the E.P.A. that we don't need you monkeying around and fiddling around and getting in our business with every kind of regulation you can dream up. You're doing nothing more than killing jobs. It's a cemetery for jobs at the E.P.A.

- Rick Perry

Doing, Tell, Around, Fiddling

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

- Rick Perry

Goal, Restore, Rightful, Displace

I am also the product of a place called Paint Creek. Doesn't have a zip code. It's too small to be called a town along the rolling plains of Texas. We grew dryland cotton and wheat, and when I wasn't farming or attending Paint Creek Rural School, I was generally over at Troop 48 working on my Eagle Scout award.

- Rick Perry

Small, Rural, Code, Troop

I supported Arizona's immigration law by joining in that lawsuit to defend it. Every day I have Texans on that border that are doing their job.

- Rick Perry

Immigration, Border, Joining, Lawsuit

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

- Rick Perry

Other, Like, Jobs, Frivolous

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

- Rick Perry

Handshake, Then, Suggest, Vow

Vladimir Putin uses energy to hold our allies hostage. If energy is going to be used as a weapon, I say America must have the largest arsenal.

- Rick Perry

Say, Going, Largest, Putin

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

Government, Minds, Found, Resides

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

Conservative, No Question, Newt

I've always believed the mission is greater than the man.

- Rick Perry

Mission, Always, Than, Believed

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

Like, Going, Opponents, Loudest

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

Rainy Day, Taxes, Session, Budget

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

Desire, Other, Given, Insatiable

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

- Rick Perry

Businessmen, Trial Lawyers, Costing

Dark economic clouds are dissipating into an emerging blue sky of opportunity.

- Rick Perry

Sky, Blue, Dark, Emerging

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

Country, Cross, Very, Yemen

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

Think, Some, May, Princeton

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

Small, Loan, Interest, Dodd-Frank

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

Will, Other, Main Street, Dodd-Frank

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

More, Nearly, Stimulus, Guided

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

Constitution, Argument, Dose

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.

- Rick Perry

Strong, Built, Texan, Bedrock

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

Role, Based, Guaranteeing, Free Men

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

Woman, Tonight, About, Coffee Table

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

Conservative, Committed, Restoring

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

Death, Feet, Mobility, Medicinal

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