Good Advice

Letters I read: President George W. Bush, New York Governor George E. Pataki, North Dakota Governor Edward T. Schafer, Northern Mariana Islands Governor Pedro P. Tenorio, Maine Governor Angus S. King Jr., Louisiana Governor Mike Foster Jr., Hawaii Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano, Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton, Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad, and Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura

My 5 favourite quotes:

“Always do your best. Be a doer, not a critic. If you are fortunate enough to take something out of the system, put something back to it. Give life everything you’ve got – don’t look for the easy way out.” – George H. W. Bush, page 5

Old Bush’s words inspired me especially because despite the way the media presents them in modern day, Bush has come a long way and his words show me that there is a lot to learn in life. What he is saying is true and not many people often refer to such things. Most people tend to watch and complain about how politics go back and forth. But, Bush is saying be a “doer”, meaning we must take the idea for the need of change as our responsibility and take it in own hands. Also, when he says that it is better to avoid “the easy way out”, he is saying that we should not rely on others and we should use all our abilities for the things we want, giving life “everything you’ve got”.

“… I believe in simple things: truth, idealism and fighting for what’s right. And I believe that people have the right to know what I am doing to improve the quality of life. I also believe that government must serve the people, not the other way around.” – Hawaii Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano, page 23

There are many layers to Cayetano’s quote. And, his quote proves his honesty and that he truly looks out for the people. This makes his words very meaningful and respectable to me. Normally, politicians would ignore the needs of the people and go to support corporations and so. But, this man understands that there is something wrong with this system and he confidently speaks out against it. He shows that the government must serve the people and oppress them. This is something many politicians are afraid to do. Thus, his words show his courage and he truly inspires me.

“I would have has absolutely no success if I had stood around waiting to be invited into the game. I got into politics because I wanted to see things change and I realized that no one was going to listen to me if I didn’t speak up. I did, look where it got me!” – Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, page 47

Changes do not just occur. People are involved in it. If you want a change, you must be a part of it to make it happen. That’s what Jesse Ventura did. He did not just sit there, he pushed himself into “the game” and changed things and made them the way he wanted them to be. He stood up, spoke out and turned his life upside down. This is telling people that if they really want something, they should not just make a wish but also make it come true. That is what Ventura is telling us, and his quote is much related to that of Bush and Governor Cayetano. And he just does not speak his thoughts; he speaks out his actions – as examples. Thus, his words are indeed meaningful to me.  

“… It is important to all of us that you do (study, work hard and achieve) – after all, you, and all other young people of our country, are out future” – New York Governor George E. Pataki, page 57

It seems to be often forgotten that children of this generation will be the leaders of the next. Pataki’s quote tells us that children are the drivers of the success of the future. This gives a lot of meaningful to the many pressures and difficulties youngsters go through during education, often wondering why they need to do it. Pataki answers this confusion very clearly and precisely. “We are the future”. This makes us imagine that if we do not work hard, the world, to which we shall be leaders, will fall apart. This pushes us to do our best at school – because, without our dreams, there will be no future. Thus, I like this quote a lot and this should be a constant reminder to those kids who pay no importance to education.

“My philosophy has long been to set my goals high, work hard, and I will achieve those goals. My father instilled me the belief in work hard and commitment to your goals. It has served me well in private and public life.” – North Dakota Governor Edward T. Schafer, page 61

Governor Schafer tells us that we must set our goals high and work hard to achieve success. This is in fact, true. When people set high goals and go beyond their limits to achieve it, they become unstoppable and go on a rampage to get what they want. And that is the key to being happy and successful in life. Setting low goals and being lazy has always worked otherwise. Thus, we must never underestimate our potential and we must always look forward to that extra mile that we can surpass. For, success is defined by how far one can go and Schafer has a very nice way of presenting it.

THE END.