Gerald Ford actually said...

"Current economic conditions require extra care to assure that Federal spending is held to the minimum levels necessary."

"I intend to keep it that way--and I call upon you to see to it that the merit principles contained in the Civil Service Act and the personnel laws and regulations are fully and effectively carried out..."

"Gaining congressional support for the items contained in this transmittal... is absolutely vital if we are to make any headway against inflation by controlling Federal expenditures."

"Budgetary restraint remains a crucial factor in our efforts to bring inflation under control."