---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our soldiers deserve better. They need a…"
description: "\"Our soldiers deserve better. They need a plan for success. They need an administration that is honest about the costs of war, human and otherwise, and ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/dick-durbin-3181_accountability_our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a_1295097.png"
---

#  Our soldiers deserve better. They need a plan for success…

![“Our soldiers deserve better. They need a plan for success. They need an administration that is honest about the costs of war, human and otherwise, and they need full accountability and oversight on Capitol Hill.” quote by Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/dick-durbin-3181_accountability_our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a_1295097.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/dick-durbin-3181_accountability_our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a_1295097.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/dick-durbin-3181_accountability_our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a_1295097.png)

> “Our soldiers deserve better. They need a plan for success. They need an administration that is honest about the costs of war, human and otherwise, and they need full accountability and oversight on Capitol Hill.”

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Military personnel need honest leadership, clear strategies, and rigorous oversight to ensure ethical conduct and effective use of resources.

**In simple terms:** Soldiers need honest, accountable leadership.

Key Takeaway

Demand transparency and accountability.

Themes

military leadership accountability

Mood

serious urgent

Type

political advocacy

When to use this quote

- budget planning
- legislative hearings
- strategic reviews

Key Concepts

public policy ethics war costs

Questions to Reflect On

- What mechanisms ensure oversight?
- How can leaders balance transparency with security?

A Different Perspective

Political disagreements can stall reforms.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Accountability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) [Capitol hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitol-hill/) [Deserve better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserve-better/) [Plan For Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plan-for-success/) [Soldiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldiers/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

## Related quotes

> [These soldiers deserve a better defense secretary than the one we have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/these-soldiers-deserve-a-better-defense-secretary-than-the-one-we-have/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [According to a recent Harvard study, $6 trillion, when you include the ongoing healthcare expenses for our wounded soldiers, which is the least they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/according-to-a-recent-harvard-study-6-trillion-when-you-include-the/)

[Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/)

> [I just think we need more accountability and more transparency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-thune/i-just-think-we-need-more-accountability-and-more-transparency/)

[John Thune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-thune/)

> [I believe that all of us have gangster proclivities and greedy orientations that need accountability. That's why democracies are necessary. We have to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/i-believe-that-all-of-us-have-gangster-proclivities-and-greedy/)

[Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/)

> [I'm a person who promotes the concept of accountability to a great extent, and I've spoken in the Parliament and reinforced the need for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-mallya/i-m-a-person-who-promotes-the-concept-of-accountability-to-a-great/)

[Vijay Mallya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-mallya/)

> [I think in the end, you know, we're just addicted to oil. We've got to overcome that addiction, and we need some serious accountability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/i-think-in-the-end-you-know-we-re-just-addicted-to-oil-we-ve-got-to/)

[Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/)

> [We need, first of all, for there to be accountability, for there to be somebody who is responsible for enforcing standards and holding people's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-granholm/we-need-first-of-all-for-there-to-be-accountability-for-there-to-be/)

[Jennifer Granholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-granholm/)

> [We see it in attempts on Capitol Hill to impose gag rules on rules on doctors on what they can say to their patients…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-see-it-in-attempts-on-capitol-hill-to-impose-gag-rules-on-rules-on/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [We hope and pray for success but life doesn't plan for success,failure only makes us stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wheaton/we-hope-and-pray-for-success-but-life-doesn-t-plan-for-success/)

[Wheaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wheaton/)

> [An organization's strategy is simply its plan for success. It's nothing more than the collection of intentional decisions a company makes to give itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/an-organization-s-strategy-is-simply-its-plan-for-success-it-s/)

[Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/)

> [“In any case, psychological type has built a private world around itself, an intimate universe that has no need for external validation . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-murphy-paul/in-any-case-psychological-type-has-built-a-private-world-around/)

[Annie Murphy Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-murphy-paul/)

> [People don't succeed because their lucky. They succeed because they set goals and work toward those goals. They plan for success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-don-t-succeed-because-their-lucky-they-succeed-because-they/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“get-after-it plan for success and owning your place at the next summit in your leadership journey”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/get-after-it-plan-for-success-and-owning-your-place-at-the-next/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“I've never considered the possibility of defeat. I've never planned for it. That's the job for those people who plan for such things. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spuds-crawford/i-ve-never-considered-the-possibility-of-defeat-i-ve-never-planned/)

[Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/)

> [Few people who marry plan for their marriages to fail, but neither do they specifically plan for success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/few-people-who-marry-plan-for-their-marriages-to-fail-but-neither-do/)

[Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/)

## More by Dick Durbin

> [We believe that there are aspects of border security that Democrats and Republicans can agree on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-believe-that-there-are-aspects-of-border-security-that-democrats/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [When you're talking about long-term deficit reduction, $4 trillion worth, entitlement reform needs to be part of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/when-you-re-talking-about-long-term-deficit-reduction-4-trillion/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [I prefer Raisin Bran. But I like the Mini-Wheats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/i-prefer-raisin-bran-but-i-like-the-mini-wheats/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [As a government lawyer, Samuel Alito wrote that he personally believe very strongly the Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/as-a-government-lawyer-samuel-alito-wrote-that-he-personally-believe/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [We've had enough with the gun traffickers and straw purchasers who buy guns out of state and sell them out of the trunks of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-ve-had-enough-with-the-gun-traffickers-and-straw-purchasers-who/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [Having billions of dollars immediately available to plug budget holes without raising taxes is very appealing. And to the delight of Wall Street investors,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/having-billions-of-dollars-immediately-available-to-plug-budget-holes/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [It is a challenge to all of us, and it's a challenge we need to meet, to make sure the Quincy Veterans' Home is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/it-is-a-challenge-to-all-of-us-and-it-s-a-challenge-we-need-to-meet/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [Reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions spares our planet from the well-documented degradation that we are witnessing on a global basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/reducing-and-removing-greenhouse-gas-emissions-spares-our-planet-from/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [It is tough to run for public office and face an opponent, to decide on issues what is the best thing, then face the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/it-is-tough-to-run-for-public-office-and-face-an-opponent-to-decide/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [We ought to deal with Social Security in a separate conversation that is not part of deficit reduction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-ought-to-deal-with-social-security-in-a-separate-conversation-that/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [I have thought about this issue of abortion time and again. It is not an easy issue for most people. I came to believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/i-have-thought-about-this-issue-of-abortion-time-and-again-it-is-not/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [We will have health care reform in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-will-have-health-care-reform-in-america/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [Magazine clips with more than 10 rounds should be prohibited from civilian use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/magazine-clips-with-more-than-10-rounds-should-be-prohibited-from/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [With every new corporate inversion, the tax burden increases on the rest of us to pay what these corporations don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/with-every-new-corporate-inversion-the-tax-burden-increases-on-the/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

> [Let me tell you, the first president to recognize the state of Israel was Harry Truman, a Democrat. And every president since, Democrat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/let-me-tell-you-the-first-president-to-recognize-the-state-of-israel/)

[Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

[Explore all 137 Dick Durbin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/)

## More Accountability quotes

> [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/)

[Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/)

> [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/)

[Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/)

> [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/)

[Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/)

> [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/)

[Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/)

> [Democracy is not being well served as we're accustomed to. There is less information, there's less investigation, there's less analysis, there's less accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-greenspon/democracy-is-not-being-well-served-as-we-re-accustomed-to-there-is/)

Edward Greenspon

> [I come from a world where accountability and accomplishments matter, and where titles and rhetoric take a back seat to results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-come-from-a-world-where-accountability-and-accomplishments-matter/)

[Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/)

> [It means a lot. It means I'm accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/champ-bailey/it-means-a-lot-it-means-i-m-accountable/)

[Champ Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/champ-bailey/)

> [Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to our god alone. I enquire after no man's and trouble none with mine;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-particular-principles-of-religion-are-a-subject-of-accountability/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [This strongly asserted but ill-defined license to kill without accountability is not an entitlement which the United States or other states can have without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-alston/this-strongly-asserted-but-ill-defined-license-to-kill-without/)

Philip Alston

> [Responsible Development shares many practices with XP but the roots are different. Responsible Development's values are honesty, transparency, accountability and responsibility. These lead me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kent-beck/responsible-development-shares-many-practices-with-xp-but-the-roots/)

[Kent Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-beck/)

> [“Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge… is empathy, for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bullard/opinion-is-really-the-lowest-form-of-human-knowledge-it-requires-no/)

Bill Bullard

> [The American people deserve accountability over wasteful spending, and we accomplish that by prioritizing taxpayer dollars in a responsive and responsible manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-britt/the-american-people-deserve-accountability-over-wasteful-spending-and/)

[Katie Britt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-britt/)

> [If torture is going to be administered as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/if-torture-is-going-to-be-administered-as-a-last-resort-in-the/)

[Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/)

> [“There are many professions that require individuals, on an ongoing basis, to pass drug tests, physicals and psychological evaluations in order to keep their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-hopkins/there-are-many-professions-that-require-individuals-on-an-ongoing/)

[Gary Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-hopkins/)

> [“Expecting accountability from the UN system was akin to expecting a blind dog to catch a flying Frisbee.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-soussan/expecting-accountability-from-the-un-system-was-akin-to-expecting-a/)

Michael Soussan

[Browse all 860 Accountability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Our soldiers deserve better. They need a plan for success. They need an administration that is honest about the costs of war, human and otherwise, and they need full accountability and oversight on Capitol Hill.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Dick Durbin"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a-plan-for-success-they-need-an/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Accountability"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a-plan-for-success-they-need-an/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/dick-durbin-3181_accountability_our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a_1295097.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/dick-durbin-3181_accountability_our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a_1295097.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/dick-durbin-3181_accountability_our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a_1295097.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Our soldiers deserve better. They need a plan for success. They need an administration that is honest about…” — Dick Durbin",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Dick Durbin",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Our soldiers deserve better. They need...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a-plan-for-success-they-need-an/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/our-soldiers-deserve-better-they-need-a-plan-for-success-they-need-an/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
