--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our government has a responsibility to…" description: "\"Our government has a responsibility to defend our borders, but we must do so in a way that makes us safer and upholds all that is decent and exceptiona..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1a/lindsey-graham-3593_borders_our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-d_1715713.jpg" --- # Our government has a responsibility to defend our borders… ![“Our government has a responsibility to defend our borders, but we must do so in a way that makes us safer and upholds all that is decent and exceptional about our nation.” quote by Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1a/lindsey-graham-3593_borders_our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-d_1715713.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1a/lindsey-graham-3593_borders_our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-d_1715713.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1a/lindsey-graham-3593_borders_our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-d_1715713.jpg) > “Our government has a responsibility to defend our borders, but we must do so in a way that makes us safer and upholds all that is decent and exceptional about our nation.” [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balancing border security with national values and safety **In simple terms:** Secure borders while preserving decency and excellence Key Takeaway Prioritize humane, effective border policies Themes security national values ethics Mood serious determined Type political policy When to use this quote - law enforcement - policy drafting - public debate - international relations Key Concepts immigration law human rights policy making Questions to Reflect On - How can security be enhanced without compromising moral standards? - What policies best reflect national exceptionalism while protecting rights? A Different Perspective Implementation may face political opposition and resource constraints ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Borders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/borders/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) ## Related quotes > [Affirming belief that America is an exceptional nation has become a test of patriotism in American politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/affirming-belief-that-america-is-an-exceptional-nation-has-become-a/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) > [The United States has a responsibility to defend our values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/the-united-states-has-a-responsibility-to-defend-our-values/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [We are committed to peace but we will defend our borders with full might.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-nath-kovind/we-are-committed-to-peace-but-we-will-defend-our-borders-with-full/) [Ram Nath Kovind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-nath-kovind/) > [I created a weapon to defend the borders of my motherland. It's not my fault that it's being used where it shouldn't be. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/i-created-a-weapon-to-defend-the-borders-of-my-motherland-it-s-not-my/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [Our veterans accepted the responsibility to defend America and uphold our values when duty called.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-shuster/our-veterans-accepted-the-responsibility-to-defend-america-and-uphold/) [Bill Shuster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-shuster/) > [If the world sees that we can defend our borders... then no one will try to come to Hungary illegally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-orban/if-the-world-sees-that-we-can-defend-our-borders-then-no-one-will-try/) [Viktor Orban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-orban/) > [A Trump administration will secure and defend our borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/a-trump-administration-will-secure-and-defend-our-borders/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [As a Jew, it is my historic responsibility to defend the Jewish people. I feel this responsibility for the survival of the Jewish people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-sharon/as-a-jew-it-is-my-historic-responsibility-to-defend-the-jewish-people/) [Ariel Sharon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-sharon/) > [Understanding future warfare is the most important responsibility of those who must defend a nation from future enemies!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perry-m-smith/understanding-future-warfare-is-the-most-important-responsibility-of/) Perry M Smith > [America has become an exceptional nation not because of what we have taken, but because of what we have given.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/america-has-become-an-exceptional-nation-not-because-of-what-we-have/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [Americans generally regard themselves as belonging to an exceptional nation. And in terms of living in a religiously tolerant and enormously diverse country, Americans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bergen/americans-generally-regard-themselves-as-belonging-to-an-exceptional/) [Peter Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bergen/) > [America is still the land of opportunity for most, but it is not a land of opportunity for all. If we are to remain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/america-is-still-the-land-of-opportunity-for-most-but-it-is-not-a/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Even through all the imperfections, mistakes and disagreements of our past, our aspiration to be good and do good has been the enduring quality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-johnson/even-through-all-the-imperfections-mistakes-and-disagreements-of-our/) [Mike Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-johnson/) > [“Americans consider the United States an exceptional nation; so do the Chinese people think of their Middle Kingdom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-mendis/americans-consider-the-united-states-an-exceptional-nation-so-do-the/) [Patrick Mendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-mendis/) > [The job of the government - and my responsibility - is to help people live healthier lives. The framework is about giving local authorities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lansley/the-job-of-the-government-and-my-responsibility-is-to-help-people/) [Andrew Lansley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lansley/) ## More by Lindsey Graham > [We're failing when it comes to controlling spending.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/we-re-failing-when-it-comes-to-controlling-spending/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [The legal system in Afghanistan is very immature and porous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/the-legal-system-in-afghanistan-is-very-immature-and-porous/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [There's a lot of things we can do to balance out what Obama's done and going forward show the American people the Republican Party…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/there-s-a-lot-of-things-we-can-do-to-balance-out-what-obama-s-done/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [I intend to make America strong again. I'm going to be the champion of the middle class, where I came from. If you make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/i-intend-to-make-america-strong-again-i-m-going-to-be-the-champion-of/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [The sooner we get started with alternative energy sources and recognize that fossil fuels makes us less secure as a nation, and more dangerous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/the-sooner-we-get-started-with-alternative-energy-sources-and/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [Well, thank God for a media that will ask questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/well-thank-god-for-a-media-that-will-ask-questions/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [My advice is if we can't replace Obamacare by ourselves, to go to the Democrats and say this. 10% of the sick people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/my-advice-is-if-we-can-t-replace-obamacare-by-ourselves-to-go-to-the/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [We’re not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys-to-stay-in-business-for/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [From a policy point of view, I don't think it's the right approach. I don't like the idea of having millions of people here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/from-a-policy-point-of-view-i-don-t-think-it-s-the-right-approach-i/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [I think comprehensive immigration reform while securing your border and dealing rationale with 11 million is the only way we're going to solve this problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/i-think-comprehensive-immigration-reform-while-securing-your-border/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [I don't see any coronation coming my way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/i-don-t-see-any-coronation-coming-my-way/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [Conservatives have a different view of a lot of issues versus our friends on the other side. The election determines how that shakes out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/conservatives-have-a-different-view-of-a-lot-of-issues-versus-our/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [It's one thing to shoot yourself in the foot. Just don't reload the gun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/it-s-one-thing-to-shoot-yourself-in-the-foot-just-don-t-reload-the-gun/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [At the end of the day, I think I understand the dynamic that we face. And I'm best prepared to be commander in chief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/at-the-end-of-the-day-i-think-i-understand-the-dynamic-that-we-face/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [There will never be a bill without a pathway to citizenship signed by the president...And in turn there will never be a pathway to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/there-will-never-be-a-bill-without-a-pathway-to-citizenship-signed-by/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) [Explore all 126 Lindsey Graham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) ## More Borders quotes > [We have to get control of our borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/we-have-to-get-control-of-our-borders/) [Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/) > [The U.S.-Mexican border es un herida abierta where the Third World grates against the first and bleeds. And before a scab forms it hemorrhages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-e-anzald-a/the-u-s-mexican-border-es-un-herida-abierta-where-the-third-world/) [Gloria E. Anzaldúa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-e-anzald-a/) > [Preemptive war is what Israel did in '67 with Arab armies on its borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ivins/preemptive-war-is-what-israel-did-in-67-with-arab-armies-on-its/) [Molly Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ivins/) > [When I went to law school, which after all was back in the dark ages, we never looked beyond our borders for precedents. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-day-o-connor/when-i-went-to-law-school-which-after-all-was-back-in-the-dark-ages/) [Sandra Day O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-day-o-connor/) > [Schengen cannot survive without the most dramatic reform, and the external borders of Europe must be rapidly strengthened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/schengen-cannot-survive-without-the-most-dramatic-reform-and-the/) [Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/) > [The troops were occasionally occupied in pursuing scattered bands going north or south, and on three occasions the large camp of Sitting Bull ventured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-a-miles/the-troops-were-occasionally-occupied-in-pursuing-scattered-bands/) [Nelson A. Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-a-miles/) > [The characters in my novels are my own unrealized possibilities. That is why I am equally fond of them all and equally horrified by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-characters-in-my-novels-are-my-own-unrealized-possibilities-that/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [When we talk about contemporary art and contemporary artists, we usually imagine artists who are alive. But I feel very uncomfortable about placing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasumasa-morimura/when-we-talk-about-contemporary-art-and-contemporary-artists-we/) [Yasumasa Morimura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasumasa-morimura/) > [Photography... unites the obvious and the unconscious at the level of the limimal - the border between what we see and what we suspect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-lorca-dicorcia/photography-unites-the-obvious-and-the-unconscious-at-the-level-of/) [Philip-Lorca diCorcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-lorca-dicorcia/) > [When you have the Chief of Staff of the Republican National Committee and the political director of the Romney campaign, and their two companies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-caddell/when-you-have-the-chief-of-staff-of-the-republican-national-committee/) [Patrick Caddell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-caddell/) > [Fifty thousand people in Mexico have been murdered. Puerto Penasco, 60 miles south of our border, just had five people and a police officer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-brewer/fifty-thousand-people-in-mexico-have-been-murdered-puerto-penasco-60/) [Jan Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-brewer/) > [The unpleasant truth is that some borders are untenable and preserving them causes conflict, not peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mearsheimer/the-unpleasant-truth-is-that-some-borders-are-untenable-and/) [John Mearsheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mearsheimer/) > [Interesting things happen along borders - transitions - not in the middle where everything is the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/interesting-things-happen-along-borders-transitions-not-in-the-middle/) [Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/) > [At no other time (than autumn) does the earth let itself be inhaled in one smell, the ripe earth; in a smell that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/at-no-other-time-than-autumn-does-the-earth-let-itself-be-inhaled-in/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [House Republicans want to pass a strong border security, illegal immigration bill. We want a bill. There is no ifs, ands or buts about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boehner/house-republicans-want-to-pass-a-strong-border-security-illegal/) [John Boehner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boehner/) [Browse all 1,650 Borders quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/borders/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our government has a responsibility to defend our borders, but we must do so in a way that makes us safer and upholds all that is decent and exceptional about our nation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lindsey Graham" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-defend-our-borders-but-we-must/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Borders" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-defend-our-borders-but-we-must/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1a/lindsey-graham-3593_borders_our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-d_1715713.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1a/lindsey-graham-3593_borders_our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-d_1715713.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1a/lindsey-graham-3593_borders_our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-d_1715713.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our government has a responsibility to defend our borders, but we must do so in a way that makes us safer…” — Lindsey Graham", "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": "Lindsey Graham", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our government has a responsibility to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-defend-our-borders-but-we-must/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/our-government-has-a-responsibility-to-defend-our-borders-but-we-must/#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 } } ] } ```