Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, lately, the people's House, this House of Representatives, has been called a lot of other things--dysfunctional, unpopular, and gridlocked--but one word, inspired by Charles Dickens, seems particularly fitting these days: bleak. In 1852, Charles Dickens wrote the novel ``Bleak House'' about the dismal failures of the British judicial system. The title ``Bleak House'' refers to the main courthouse, above which reads the warning: Suffer any wrong that can be done you rather than come here. Given the recent inaction, and perhaps dysfunction, I feel a similar moniker may need to be placed above our own door. This body has reached a point where our inaction is no longer harmless. Our inability to act and govern is having real and harmful effects. We are on the verge of causing great suffering. Take, for example, health care. We passed health care reform 3 years ago. While everyone does not like all of its provisions, the fact is it's the law of the land. It's not going away. But rather than working together to improve the bill, as has been done with every other major piece of legislation, such as Medicare part D, many in this House are not only refusing to make adjustments; they are trying to stop its implementation altogether. There are efforts under way to dissuade young people from signing up for insurance, to prevent assisters from helping folks access insurance, and to scare seniors.…”