Jan Brewer in Scorpions for Breakfast, by Jan Brewer


On Immigration: AZ passed bill because feds wouldn't secure border

The story of SB 1070 is the story of an arrogant, out of control federal government. The people of Arizona watched for years as our border went unenforced, as our schools and hospitals became overwhelmed with poor, desperate illegal aliens, and finally, as violent crime invaded our cities when the Mexican drug cartels took over the border crossings.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p. 5 Nov 1, 2011

On Immigration: The Constitution mandates federal protection of the states

I've always been idealistic about Americans. I live in the best state in the greatest country in the world. I thought that if I was conscientious and had the people with me, I could expect those who call themselves our leaders to give me a fair hearing. I am fighting Washington to make it do what it's supposed to do. The Constitution is very clear. Article IV, Section 4 imposes on the federal government the duty to "protect each state against Invasion . domestic Violence."
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p. 9 Nov 1, 2011

On Health Care: Does not support a federal health care plan

Government that wants to spend beyond its means and take over our health care decisions is government that has a different vision from what most Americans would agree with. In Arizona, we fought back against that kind of arrogance. We haven't been willing to give up on our vision of America as a people that has a government, not a government that has a people.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p. 11 Nov 1, 2011

On Environment: Endangered Species Act causes damage to environment

The irony is that much of the land along the US side of the Arizona boarder is protected by the federal government for environmental reasons. Federal laws like the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act restrict access. To enter, the Border Patrol has to wait and get special permission. Sometimes four months pass before permission is granted. In the twisted world of illegal immigration, environmentally protected lands suffer more damage than unprotected ones.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p. 48-49 Nov 1, 2011

On Government Reform: Limit government spending to overcome AZ deficit

Years of overspending and overpromising by politicians in Phoenix had brought Arizona to the brink of fiscal Armageddon. State government was overspending its revenues by $1.6 billion. I was inheriting the largest budget deficit on a percentage basis, of any state in the union.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p. 85 Nov 1, 2011

On Government Reform: Cut $1.6 billion from AZ state budget

Ten days after becoming governor, I erased $1.6 billion from our state budget deficit. Education, welfare programs, and public safety took the brunt of the cuts.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p. 89 Nov 1, 2011

On Tax Reform: Imposed temporary sales tax increase to balance budget

The budget we came up with slashed spending and included a temporary one-cent sales tax hike for three years to make up the massive deficit. The sales tax was the fairest method of raising additional revenue, affecting everyone equally. We calculated that the temporary measure would raise $1 billion a year and protect the areas of education, health care, and public safety from even deeper cuts.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p. 92 Nov 1, 2011

On Foreign Policy: UN Human Rights Council is a collection of dictators

The Obama State Department included Arizona in its report to the UN Human Rights Council. The UNHRC is without a doubt the very worst of the UN bodies. It is a collection of dictators from such great human-rights respecting nations as Libya, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, and China whose main function is to pass hypocritical resolutions against Israel.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p.193 Nov 1, 2011

On Health Care: Obamacare was a mistake and people starting to see this

Whether it's the fight against Obamacare or the fight to secure the border, fewer and fewer people are buying the "Washington knows best" routine.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p.195 Nov 1, 2011

On Immigration: Curb illegals with more border security and enforcing laws

We need a new border fence, particularly where the traffic is heaviest. We need a robust National Guard that sticks around to get the job done. We need to reimburse border states for the costs illegal aliens place on them, especially in terms of incarceration. And we need to enforce our laws against illegal immigration.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p.220 Nov 1, 2011

On Principles & Values: Being American means the freedom to create own destiny

Multiculturalists will deny it, but being an American means something. It means embracing American values. It means being fee to create your own destiny. It means respecting the freedom of your fellow Americans to do the same. It carries responsibilities as well as rights.
Source: Scorpions for Breakfast, by Gov. Jan Brewer, p.222 Nov 1, 2011

The above quotations are from Scorpions for Breakfast
My Fight Against Special Interests, Liberal Media, and Cynical Politicos to Secure America's Border
by Jan Brewer.
Click here for other excerpts from Scorpions for Breakfast
My Fight Against Special Interests, Liberal Media, and Cynical Politicos to Secure America's Border
by Jan Brewer.
Click here for other excerpts by Jan Brewer.
Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Feb 22, 2019