Political Quotes

“Last time I looked the American government was not a dictatorship. These are American businesses and American workers which we are helping. Virtually nobody else is being helped at the same level. We are helping them compete with other countries. I do rise in very strong opposition to this amendment. This is a debate about means and ends. The sponsor of the amendment seeks to promote democracy and the rule of law abroad. So does this Member and every Member of this body. There is no disagreement about the objective, but there is disagreement about the means. The amendment's sponsor evidently believes that the United States should express its repugnance for undemocratic governments by enacting sweeping, unprecedented global sanctions against ourselves by cutting off trade, by unilaterally embargoing American exports and sacrificing good, high-paying American jobs. I do not. The United States does not advance its interest in democracy and the rule of law by punishing ourselves by telling foreign purchasers of United States goods and services to buy their industrial machinery, power equipment, telecommunications and aircraft from European or Japanese companies.”