I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size.
Barry GoldwaterThe big thing is to make this country - quit discriminating against people just because they're gay. You don't have to agree with it, but they have a constitutional right to be gay. They're American citizens.
Barry GoldwaterWe Americans understand freedom; we have earned it, we have lived for it, and we have died for it. This nation and its people are freedom's models in a searching world. We can be freedom's missionaries in a doubting world. The genius of the American system is that through freedom we have created extraordinary results from plain old ordinary people.
Barry GoldwaterIf the Conservative is less anxious than his Liberal brethren to increase Social Security โbenefits,โ it is because he is more anxious than his Liberal brethren that people be free throughout their lives to spend their earnings when and as they see fit
Barry GoldwaterMark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.
Barry GoldwaterThroughout history civilian populations and political rulers have talked of peace. We have never been free of war. The soldier, whose profession is war, understands that peace must be enforced by superior military might. The certainty of defeat is the only effective deterrent we can use to maintain peace. Furthermore, we can be strong without being aggressive.
Barry Goldwater