--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My purpose is to call on my colleagues…" description: "\"My purpose is to call on my colleagues, whether they're Republicans or Democrats, to get behind the agenda of trying to reform the government and make ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/mike-lee-14226_colleagues_my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-w_1175875.jpg" --- # My purpose is to call on my colleagues, whether they're… ![“My purpose is to call on my colleagues, whether they're Republicans or Democrats, to get behind the agenda of trying to reform the government and make it work for the people rather than the other way around.” quote by Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/mike-lee-14226_colleagues_my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-w_1175875.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/mike-lee-14226_colleagues_my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-w_1175875.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/mike-lee-14226_colleagues_my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-w_1175875.jpg) > “My purpose is to call on my colleagues, whether they're Republicans or Democrats, to get behind the agenda of trying to reform the government and make it work for the people rather than the other way around.” [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He urges bipartisan cooperation to reform government for citizens, not special interests. **In simple terms:** Work together to fix government for people. Key Takeaway Support cross‑party reform. Themes bipartisanship government reform public service Mood determined hopeful Type political inspirational When to use this quote - legislative sessions - town hall meetings - policy drafting Key Concepts civic duty political compromise Questions to Reflect On - How can you foster cooperation across party lines? - What reforms matter most to you? A Different Perspective Political polarization can stall progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Colleagues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/colleagues/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I'm sincerely thankful for my colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, who continue to denounce hateful, anti-Jewish sentiment. And I continue to be grateful for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-britt/i-m-sincerely-thankful-for-my-colleagues-both-republicans-and/) [Katie Britt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-britt/) > [I intend to do what I can, working with my congressional colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, to help bring about the changes to the practices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-intend-to-do-what-i-can-working-with-my-congressional-colleagues/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [The whole point of what -Jesus was up to was that he was doing close up, in the present, what he was promising long-term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright-2/the-whole-point-of-what-jesus-was-up-to-was-that-he-was-doing-close/) [N. T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright-2/) > [My only agenda is trying to make you laugh and say something smart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iliza-shlesinger/my-only-agenda-is-trying-to-make-you-laugh-and-say-something-smart/) [Iliza Shlesinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iliza-shlesinger/) > [There is a huge agenda behind trying to destroy me and put me down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-mills/there-is-a-huge-agenda-behind-trying-to-destroy-me-and-put-me-down/) [Heather Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-mills/) > [My agenda is trying to help people live a better life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-michaels/my-agenda-is-trying-to-help-people-live-a-better-life/) [Jillian Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-michaels/) > [I would say to Republicans that when you look at civil rights legislation that took place in the 1960s, it took a bipartisan effort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-veasey/i-would-say-to-republicans-that-when-you-look-at-civil-rights/) [Marc Veasey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-veasey/) > [“Truly it would be well if these visionaries, who think so much of themselves and so little of mankind, who want to renew everything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bastiat-frederick/truly-it-would-be-well-if-these-visionaries-who-think-so-much-of/) [Bastiat, Frederick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bastiat-frederick/) > [I think that I am better than the people who are trying to reform me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-think-that-i-am-better-than-the-people-who-are-trying-to-reform-me/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I think what I'm trying to do, reform-wise, is completely consistent with conservative philosophy. It may not be consistent with some so-called conservatives who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-abramoff/i-think-what-i-m-trying-to-do-reform-wise-is-completely-consistent/) [Jack Abramoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-abramoff/) > [I think I'm better than all the people who are trying to reform me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-butterfield/i-think-i-m-better-than-all-the-people-who-are-trying-to-reform-me/) Paul Butterfield > [Avoid openly trying to reform people. Every man knows he is imperfect, but he doesn't want someone else trying to correct his faults. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-packard/avoid-openly-trying-to-reform-people-every-man-knows-he-is-imperfect/) [David Packard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-packard/) > [Most Republicans have made it very clear they're not interested in raising taxes. They want to reform government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grover-norquist/most-republicans-have-made-it-very-clear-they-re-not-interested-in/) [Grover Norquist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grover-norquist/) > [Attending that Convention and talking with those people and many others convinced me that I should become a blogger in my efforts to reform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jay-hooker/attending-that-convention-and-talking-with-those-people-and-many/) [John Jay Hooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jay-hooker/) > [He who desires or attempts to reform the government of a state and wishes to have it accepted, must at least retain the semblance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/he-who-desires-or-attempts-to-reform-the-government-of-a-state-and/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## More by Mike Lee > [A lot of people feel left out by a government that taxes too much and regulates them too heavily and seems to result in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/a-lot-of-people-feel-left-out-by-a-government-that-taxes-too-much-and/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [The trend of offering individualized education plans, curricula, and lessons is going to help students tremendously. “Teaching to the middle” is one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/the-trend-of-offering-individualized-education-plans-curricula-and/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [There's a lot of bipartisan rancor, a lot of excessive delegation of legislative power from the legislative branch to the executive branch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/there-s-a-lot-of-bipartisan-rancor-a-lot-of-excessive-delegation-of/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [It is simply science fiction fantasy to say that, if you do not raise the debt ceiling, that everything is going to collapse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/it-is-simply-science-fiction-fantasy-to-say-that-if-you-do-not-raise/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [NYC, You Inspire Me to never stop exploring the endless possibilities of food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/nyc-you-inspire-me-to-never-stop-exploring-the-endless-possibilities/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [I think declaring a no fly zone over foreign soil is tantamount to an act of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/i-think-declaring-a-no-fly-zone-over-foreign-soil-is-tantamount-to-an/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [The conservative candidate who ignores moderates is as misguided as the moderate candidate who ignores conservatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/the-conservative-candidate-who-ignores-moderates-is-as-misguided-as/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [I think I was about 30 before I realized that not every family talks about the presentment clause on a regular basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/i-think-i-was-about-30-before-i-realized-that-not-every-family-talks/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [I tell the story of eight forgotten founders, people like Canassatego, an Iroquois Indian Chief, who taught Benjamin Franklin about federalism, about the idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/i-tell-the-story-of-eight-forgotten-founders-people-like-canassatego/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [My political views have since I was a kid someway or another reflected the concerns of Tea Party movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/my-political-views-have-since-i-was-a-kid-someway-or-another/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [The best thing we can do when we want to elevate civil dialogue in our American political discourse is to do whatever we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/the-best-thing-we-can-do-when-we-want-to-elevate-civil-dialogue-in/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [When you have less revenue coming in the door, you have more money going out the door. You have to find ways of trimming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/when-you-have-less-revenue-coming-in-the-door-you-have-more-money/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [What I am saying is that Donald Trump can still get a lot of votes from a lot of conservatives like me, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/what-i-am-saying-is-that-donald-trump-can-still-get-a-lot-of-votes/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [If we were all to chase every squirrel that comes running along in the form of a personal dispute or a mischaracterization of someone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/if-we-were-all-to-chase-every-squirrel-that-comes-running-along-in/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [That's why we have senators and members of congress from every state. That's why we have elections. Because the people speak and there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/that-s-why-we-have-senators-and-members-of-congress-from-every-state/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) [Explore all 47 Mike Lee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) ## More Colleagues quotes > [I've never been motivated by money. My peers and colleagues inspire me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-chase/i-ve-never-been-motivated-by-money-my-peers-and-colleagues-inspire-me/) [Robin Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-chase/) > [It's wonderful to see more of my colleagues recognizing the importance of investing in STEM education and scientific research and development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-foster/it-s-wonderful-to-see-more-of-my-colleagues-recognizing-the/) [Bill Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-foster/) > [I am sorry to upset my colleagues by saying we wasted four years in opposition, but if you do get so badly defeated as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clarke/i-am-sorry-to-upset-my-colleagues-by-saying-we-wasted-four-years-in/) [Kenneth Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clarke/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [Don’t let yourself be. Find something new to try, something to change. Count how often it succeeds and how often it doesn’t. Write about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atul-gawande/don-t-let-yourself-be-find-something-new-to-try-something-to-change/) [Atul Gawande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atul-gawande/) > [UN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/un-peacekeeping-operations-are-now-increasingly-complex-and-multi/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [“The whole organization seemed to be in free fall, indulging in a collective fantasy in which experienced colleagues refused to admit that their every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-whole-organization-seemed-to-be-in-free-fall-indulging-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is a danger of Scottish politics being between two sets of dinosaurs... the Nationalists who can't accept they were rejected by the people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-lamont/there-is-a-danger-of-scottish-politics-being-between-two-sets-of/) [Johann Lamont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-lamont/) > [We must continue our fight to ensure that Federal, State, and local authorities have the resources and support necessary to combat this growing epidemic.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-lewis/we-must-continue-our-fight-to-ensure-that-federal-state-and-local/) [Ron Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-lewis/) > [The questions of traditional and redefined marriage are highly emotional and a difficult and sensitive topic. Living in the D.C. area and having gay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-schlapp/the-questions-of-traditional-and-redefined-marriage-are-highly/) [Mercedes Schlapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-schlapp/) > [Very often, we are confronted by people who want us to pray their way or colleagues who want us to think their way. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-klemp/very-often-we-are-confronted-by-people-who-want-us-to-pray-their-way/) [Harold Klemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-klemp/) > [For all the civilians saved thanks to the presence of peacekeepers, there have been those who were lost - the United Nations personnel who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-eliasson/for-all-the-civilians-saved-thanks-to-the-presence-of-peacekeepers/) [Jan Eliasson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-eliasson/) > [I have always been very calm and with all the triumphs I have had I have always been sure to thank my colleagues and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulinho/i-have-always-been-very-calm-and-with-all-the-triumphs-i-have-had-i/) [Paulinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulinho/) > [As a former undercover CIA officer, I've worked with my colleagues in the 114th Congress to approach the growing terrorist threat from a number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/as-a-former-undercover-cia-officer-i-ve-worked-with-my-colleagues-in/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [ In the end, many of his more militant colleagues began to feel that \[Ho Chi Minh's\] tendency to compromise, and his reluctance to confront… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-duiker/in-the-end-many-of-his-more-militant-colleagues-began-to-feel-that-ho/) [William J. Duiker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-duiker/) [Browse all 1,024 Colleagues quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/colleagues/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My purpose is to call on my colleagues, whether they're Republicans or Democrats, to get behind the agenda of trying to reform the government and make it work for the people rather than the other way around.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mike Lee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-whether-they-re-republicans-or/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Colleagues" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-whether-they-re-republicans-or/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/mike-lee-14226_colleagues_my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-w_1175875.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/mike-lee-14226_colleagues_my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-w_1175875.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/238/mike-lee-14226_colleagues_my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-w_1175875.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My purpose is to call on my colleagues, whether they're Republicans or Democrats, to get behind the agenda…” — Mike Lee", "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": "Mike Lee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My purpose is to call on...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-whether-they-re-republicans-or/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/my-purpose-is-to-call-on-my-colleagues-whether-they-re-republicans-or/#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 } } ] } ```