Political Quotes

“I hesitate to quote Shakespeare, and probably inartfully, but me thinks ``thou doth protest too much'' seems to hang over this Chamber today. I have never heard so many Members defending States rights. This is virgin territory for them, and I welcome them to the ranks of States rights defenders, but I almost began to imagine the Stars and Bars were being waved over there with some vigor because, God forbid, the Federal Government cross into a State to examine its gaming industry. First of all, there is no proposal to regulate here. There is no proposal to tax. The only proposal is to recommend changes. We do that every day in the thousands. We are great change recommenders. But that would be based on a study made of an industry that is indeed an interstate industry. It is a national phenomenon, and it deals with big, big money. It has an impact on commerce. Money that is spent in a casino is not money that is spent in a local store or retail outlet, and that is fine. Let people spend the money the way they want. Let them gamble up a storm. I once heard about a slot machine that took wristwatches when you ran out of money. That is all right. Let it happen. But let us know about it. Let us study it. Let us find out what the impact is on our society, on our commerce, and on the people engaged in this activity. It is a legitimate activity. I would never want to declare it illegal. But what is wrong with learning something about it?”