Conventional wisdom on government's role in inequality often has it backwards. Tax reforms have resulted in a more progressive federal income tax; government transfer payments have become less progressive. -Paul Ryan Wisdom
The perfection of our union, especially our commitment to equality of opportunity, has been a story of constant striving to live up to our Founding principles. This is what Abraham Lincoln meant when he said, 'In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free - honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve.' -Paul Ryan Equality
My Dad, a small-town lawyer, was also named Paul. Until we lost him when I was 16, he was a gentle presence in my life. I like to think he'd be proud of me and my sister and brothers, because I'm sure proud of him and of where I come from, Janesville, Wisconsin. -Paul Ryan Dad
President Obama clearly cannot run on his record. All he's offering is more of the same. That's not good. Look at the economy. It's stagnating. And so, what they're now going to try and do is bring this campaign down to little things, distractions, distortions, smear, fear, anger, frustration. -Paul Ryan Anger
What's missing is leadership in the White House. And the story that Barack Obama does tell, forever shifting blame to the last administration, is getting old. The man assumed office almost four years ago - isn't it about time he assumed responsibility? -Paul Ryan Leadership
Hope and change? We're not doing that anymore. They're doing attack and blame. And so, I just think people are going to see through this. They want real leadership. They want us to get this country on the right track. -Paul Ryan Leadership
What matters to me is that I do what I think is right and I see, I'm a numbers guy, that's my attitude. I know we have a debt tsunami coming, we are bankrupting this country and I'm in a position where I can actually advance ideas to prevent that from happening. That's exactly what I should be doing. -Paul Ryan Attitude
Our founders got it right when they wrote in the Declaration of Independence that our rights come from nature and nature's God, not from government. -Paul Ryan Government
We have got this tailspin of culture, in our inner cities in particular, of men not working and just generations of men not even thinking about working or learning the value and the culture of work, and so there is a real culture problem here that has to be dealt with. -Paul Ryan Learning
President Obama's reckless defense cuts that are hanging over our cloud, hanging over the horizon could put almost 44,000 jobs at stake right here in Pennsylvania. we are not going to let that happen. You know why? Because No. 1, national defense is the first priority of the federal government. -Paul Ryan Government
Freedom of religion is a fundamental Constitutional principle. It's a founding principle of this country. -Paul Ryan Religion
What we heard today was not fiscal leadership from our Commander-in-Chief, what we heard today was a political broadside from our Campaigner-in-Chief. -Paul Ryan Leadership
This is our job as leaders: to offer positive solutions and empower people. Our duty is to tackle our problems before they tackle us. -Paul Ryan Positive
Freedom of religion is a fundamental Constitutional principle. It's a founding principle of this country. -Paul Ryan Freedom
Millions of young Americans have graduated from college during the Obama presidency, ready to use their gifts and get moving in life. Half of them can't find the work they studied for, or any work at all. So here's the question: Without a change in leadership, why would the next four years be any different from the last four years? -Paul Ryan Leadership
The American people are ready for solutions, and Donald Trump offers a chance to move in a new direction. -Paul Ryan Chance
We need leadership. We don't need a doubling down on the failed politics of the past. -Paul Ryan Leadership
So here's the question: Without a change in leadership, why would the next four years be any different from the last four years? -Paul Ryan Leadership
There is a consensus of willing leaders from both parties coalescing around the right way forward in health care. Reform should address government-imposed inequities and barriers to true choice and competition. -Paul Ryan Health
Mom was 50 when my Dad died. She got on a bus every weekday for years, and rode 40 miles each morning to Madison. She earned a new degree and learned new skills to start her small business. It wasn't just a new livelihood. It was a new life. -Paul Ryan Business
And if small businesspeople say they made it on their own, all they are saying is that nobody else worked seven days a week in their place. Nobody showed up in their place to open the door at five in the morning. Nobody did their thinking, and worrying, and sweating for them. -Paul Ryan Morning
