"It is the chasing of returns that is driven by the fact that a high return is imposed on them by legislatures."
"Obviously, a large portion of the debt that has been issued and is currently being issued by the United States is held by overseas investors, including China."
"In a weak economy, where you are facing financial instability, higher income people... have the greater ability to weather that."
"the average rate of tax collection has been roughly 18 percent of GDP. Whether we like it or not, whether we think it should be higher or not, it is a reality and this reality is nonnegotiable."
"resolving these issues in the near term helps both individuals, businesses and financial markets have confidence in the activities they are undertaking."
"I would just give an example, I will say good things about my in-laws."
"We have got billionaires that aren't paying any taxes all over this country, we have everyone sheltering money offshore..."
"public sector pensions are a far better deal for them."
"My greatest concern is not so much for this recession as the next one, which inevitably will come."
"we have to compete for workers with the private sector."
"It is my hope that State and local finances will avoid a severe disruption."