The Common Sense Quips of Ross Perot: Lessons Still Relevant Today
By Joe Wallace
Ross Perot, the Texas billionaire who shook up American politics in the 1992 and 1996 presidential elections, was known for his straight talk and folksy wisdom. His quips, often laced with humor and pragmatism, cut through the political noise and addressed the concerns of everyday Americans. Many of his statements, particularly on trade, debt, and governance, still resonate today. While some believe recent debates on tariffs and trade fairness are novel, Perot was making these arguments over three decades ago.
“We will charge you whatever tariff you charge us.”
Perot’s stance on tariffs was simple and fair. He argued that if another country imposed a high tariff on American goods, the United States should respond in kind. This tit-for-tat approach wasn’t about protectionism but about leveling the playing field. His logic was clear—why should American businesses and workers be put at a disadvantage due to foreign trade policies? While tariffs remain a contentious issue, Perot’s perspective reminds us that trade should be a two-way street.
“That giant sucking sound.”
One of Perot’s most famous lines came during the 1992 presidential debate when he warned that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would lead to massive job losses as American companies moved operations to Mexico in search of cheaper labor. He described it as a “giant sucking sound” of jobs leaving the United States. While his opponents dismissed him at the time, his warning proved eerily accurate as many manufacturing jobs did shift overseas, fueling economic anxieties that persist today.
“If you see a snake, just kill it. Don’t appoint a committee on snakes.”
Perot had little patience for bureaucratic inefficiency and red tape. This quip, like many of his, underscored his preference for decisive action over endless deliberation. He believed that government should focus on solving problems quickly rather than getting bogged down in committees and political maneuvering. His no-nonsense approach to leadership still appeals to those frustrated with Washington’s gridlock.
“The debt is like the crazy aunt we keep down in the basement.”
Decades before national debt became a major talking point in political campaigns, Perot was sounding the alarm. He compared the national debt to a “crazy aunt in the basement,” a problem everyone knows about but no one wants to talk about. His concern about fiscal responsibility and government overspending was ahead of its time, and today’s ballooning deficits show he had a point.
“Welfare should be a bridge, not a parking lot.”
Perot believed in a safety net, but he was wary of government programs creating dependency. His view was that welfare should help people get back on their feet, not serve as a permanent way of life. His belief in self-reliance and opportunity aligned with his broader philosophy that America’s strength came from its people, not from government programs.
“You measure a man by what he does with power.”
A businessman turned political outsider, Perot had deep skepticism about career politicians. He believed that power should be used for the public good, not for personal gain or partisan interests. In an era when public trust in government is at an all-time low, this message still carries weight.
Perot’s Legacy: Not So Crazy After All
Many of Perot’s ideas and warnings were dismissed at the time as alarmist or unconventional, but history has vindicated much of his thinking. His common-sense approach to trade, debt, and governance was rooted in logic rather than ideology. Though he never won the presidency, his influence reshaped the national conversation and paved the way for future outsiders in politics.
The next time you hear a politician talking about fair trade, government waste, or rising debt, remember: Ross Perot was saying it long before it was fashionable. And in many ways, we’re still catching up to him.
