And a special thank you to the citizens of Massachusetts: You are

“And a special thank you to the citizens of Massachusetts: You are paying all the taxes, creating all the jobs, raising all the children. This government is yours. Thank you for letting me serve you. I love this job.” Thus spoke Mitt Romney, standing before his people with humility and gratitude, his words not merely the conclusion of a speech, but a declaration of faith in the sacred bond between a leader and the led. In these words, he reminds us that the true power of government does not lie in marble halls or gilded offices, but in the hearts, hands, and labors of the citizens themselves. His statement is both a bow and a benediction — an acknowledgment that in the grand architecture of democracy, it is the people who are the foundation, and the leaders who are but their stewards.

The origin of this quote lies in Romney’s time as Governor of Massachusetts, a period when he sought to bridge divides between political factions and revive the spirit of civic duty. In his farewell address, these words were offered as both reflection and tribute — a final gesture of honor toward those he had served. He recognized that beyond all political debate, beyond the wrangling of parties and policies, there remains one enduring truth: that citizenship is the lifeblood of a nation. It is the people, not their governors, who create prosperity, nurture the next generation, and sustain the moral fabric of the state. His declaration, “This government is yours,” resounds like the echo of the Founders themselves — a reaffirmation of the eternal covenant of democracy: that authority belongs not to rulers, but to the ruled.

When Romney thanks the citizens for “paying all the taxes, creating all the jobs, raising all the children,” he does more than flatter; he pays homage to the silent labor that sustains civilization. Every society, in its grandeur, rests upon the invisible shoulders of those who work, teach, build, and care. The farmer tilling his soil, the teacher shaping young minds, the mother guiding her child, the laborer sweating for his wage — these are the unseen architects of every nation’s greatness. The taxes they pay build the bridges, the schools, the hospitals; the jobs they create feed the economy; the children they raise carry the dreams of tomorrow. Romney’s words recall that the truest strength of government lies not in its rulers’ decrees, but in the diligence and virtue of its people.

History offers us many reflections of this truth. Consider the Roman Republic, where the citizens — the cives Romani — were not merely subjects of governance but participants in it. They served in the legions, voted in assemblies, and contributed through labor and sacrifice to the empire’s rise. Yet, when the emperors later claimed divine power and forgot their duty to the people, Rome’s greatness waned. So too, Romney’s words remind modern listeners that government must never drift from its source — the consent and contribution of its citizens. When leaders forget that they serve the people, they cease to be leaders and become tyrants; when citizens forget that the government is theirs, they cease to be free and become subjects once more.

The phrase “Thank you for letting me serve you” reveals the noblest spirit of leadership — humility. For in a republic, public service is not an entitlement but a trust. The ancient philosophers understood this: Plato taught that the best rulers are those who govern reluctantly, out of duty rather than ambition. To serve the people is to shoulder their burdens, to act not as master but as guardian. Romney’s joy — “I love this job” — is the joy of one who finds meaning not in power, but in service. It is a reminder that true fulfillment in leadership comes not from being obeyed, but from being useful; not from command, but from contribution.

There is also within this statement a call to shared responsibility. By declaring, “This government is yours,” Romney turns the mirror upon the people themselves. He reminds them that democracy is not sustained by elections alone, but by constant participation. The people must remain vigilant, engaged, and united in purpose. The taxes they pay are not tributes to power, but investments in the common good. The jobs they create and the children they raise are acts of nation-building as noble as any law passed or policy written. In this way, every citizen becomes a leader — a co-creator of the society they wish to see.

Thus, O listener, let this wisdom settle in your heart: government is not a distant force — it is you. Every act of integrity, every honest labor, every kindness extended to another strengthens the invisible web that binds the people and their leaders together. Do not look to governors and presidents as saviors; look to yourselves as stewards of the republic. For the glory of a nation does not lie in the names of its rulers, but in the courage and character of its citizens.

So, serve where you stand. Pay your dues not only in coin, but in compassion. Raise your children with wisdom and courage. Build, create, and care for the common good. Then, when you look upon the government, you will not see a distant institution, but a reflection of your own effort and honor. And in that moment, you too may say, as Romney once did, not with pride but with gratitude: “This government is yours. Thank you for letting me serve you.”