Jerry Brown quotes

Jerry Brown is an American politician and lawyer, best known for serving multiple terms as Governor of California. His long career includes roles as Secretary of State and Attorney General of California, highlighting a commitment to public service and progressive policies. He remains an influential figure in state and national politics. Here are 35 of his quotes:

We are in a degenerate state of self-government. In fact, even to use the words self-government, is not only an exaggeration, it's a lie. It's a big lie!

Jerry Brown

There's nothing wrong with being an anarchist.

Jerry Brown

I'd shrink government in a minute, if I could shrink GM, Bank of America, and all these immoral corporations that operate by an undemocratic code, with no soul and no conscience.

Jerry Brown

I've been in office and I've been out of office. And if I were to choose, I'd rather be in office.

Jerry Brown

The conventional viewpoint says we need a jobs program and we need to cut welfare. Just the opposite! We need more welfare and fewer jobs.

Jerry Brown

When the farmer can sell directly to the consumer, it is a more active process. There's more contact. The consumer can know, who am I buying this from? What's their name? Do they have a face? Is the food they are selling coming out of Mexico with pesticides?

Jerry Brown

Automation and technology would be a great boon if it were creative, if there were more leisure, more opportunity to engage in raising a family, providing guidance to the young, all the stuff we say we need. America will work if we're all in it together. It'll work when there's a shared sense of destiny. It can be done!

Jerry Brown

Jerry is perceived by most legislators as very selfish.

Jerry Brown

I do not believe he believes what he is saying.

Jerry Brown

Multinational corporations do control. They control the politicians. They control the media. They control the pattern of consumption, entertainment, thinking. They're destroying the planet and laying the foundation for violent outbursts and racial division.

Jerry Brown

Jobs for every American is doomed to failure because of modern automation and production. We ought to recognize it and create an income-maintenance system so every single American has the dignity and the wherewithal for shelter, basic food, and medical care. I'm talking about welfare for all. Without it, you're going to have warfare for all.

Jerry Brown

Prisons don't rehabilitate, they don't punish, they don't protect, so what the hell do they do?

Jerry Brown

We have to be realistic about what the state can afford, and put an end to abuses of the system that cost millions.

Jerry Brown

The reason that everybody likes planning is that nobody has to do anything.

Jerry Brown

Where there is a sufficient social movement of self-reliant communities, there can be political change. There must be political change.

Jerry Brown

Inaction may be the biggest form of action.

Jerry Brown

It looks to me to be obvious that the whole world cannot eat an American diet.

Jerry Brown

Pension reform can be hard to talk about. In the long run, reform now means fewer demands for layoffs and less draconian measures in the future. It's in the best interest of all Californians to fix this system now.

Jerry Brown

We have to deal with where we are. We have to create cooperatives, we have to create intentional communities, we have to work for local cooperation where we are.

Jerry Brown

We have to restore power to the family, to the neighborhood, and the community with a non-market principle, a principle of equality, of charity, of let's-take-care-of-one-another. That's the creative challenge.

Jerry Brown

I like computers. I like the Internet. It's a tool that can be used. But don't be misled into thinking that these technologies are anything other than aspects of a degenerate economic system.

Jerry Brown

Too often I find that the volume of paper expands to fill the available briefcases.

Jerry Brown