Alan Lowenthal: “In listening to this discussion and to your presentation about the bill to basically give government back to the people…”

“In listening to this discussion and to your presentation about the bill to basically give government back to the people, listening to Congressman O'Rourke talking about what it is like to go door to door and talk to people, and then you are asking what are people saying, I think what I am hearing as I go out is that we have lost, in many ways--what has happened because of money in politics--the ability to talk to people. It is not necessary anymore. The thing is, when you talk to people, this is what they say: I want to have a voice. I want to participate. I want to be part of this great democracy. Less and less does that make any difference. You can win office without talking to people. You don't have to talk to people anymore. You just have to raise large amounts of money and let that money spread a message. What we are saying is, that is not only bad for the institution, that is horrible for the democracy that we live in. It is time to give back this democracy to our communities. It is time to recreate a sense of community. It is time to do what Congressman O'Rourke has said, which is to create competitiveness, to create a sense that people can listen and they can participate. They can if they are not part of the purchasing of this House, and that is what it has been now--the purchasing of this House.…”