# You Got to Dance with Them What Brung You

- Author: [Molly Ivins](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins.md)
- Quotes: 6
- Book page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you

## Quotes

> Personally, I think government is a tool, like a hammer. You can use a hammer to build or you can use a hammer to destroy; there is nothing intrinsically good or evil about the hammer itself. It is the purposes to which it is put and the skill with which it is used that determine whether the hammer's work is good or bad. (Introduction)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/personally-i-think.md)

> [On Bill Clinton] If left to my own devices, I'd spend all my time pointing out that he's weaker than bus-station chili. But the man is so constantly subjected to such hideous and unfair abuse that I wind up standing up for him on the general principle that some fairness should be applied. Besides, no one but a fool or a Republican ever took him for a liberal. (Introduction)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/on-bill-clinton.md)

> How the American right managed to convince itself that the programs to alleviate poverty are responsible for the consequences of poverty will someday be studied as a notorious mass illusion. ("Look to the Children of the Poor in This Season of Budget-Slashing", 1995)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/how-the-american.md)

> When politicians start talking about large groups of their fellow Americans as 'enemies,' it's time for a quiet stir of alertness. Polarizing people is a good way to win an election, and also a good way to wreck a country. ("Stand by, America! Newt Alert!", 1994)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/when-politicians-start.md)

> The trouble with blaming powerless people is that although it's not nearly as scary as blaming the powerful, it does miss the point. Poor people do not shut down factories. Poor people are not in charge of those mergers and acquisitions in which tens of thousands of people lose their jobs so a few people in top positions can make a killing on the stock market. Poor people did not decide to keep wages either steady or falling for the last twenty years. Poor people didn't decide to use 'contract employees' because they cost less and don't get any benefits. ("Wasting Perfectly Good Anger" 1997)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/the-trouble-with.md)

> Listen to the people who are talking about how to fix what's wrong, not the ones who just work people into a snit over the problems. Listen to the people who have ideas about how to fix things, not the ones who just blame others. ("We're Talking About This Kind of People..." 1995)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/listen-to-the.md)