Political Quotes

“I want to offer my most sincere and hearty congratulations to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson) as he embarks on this wonderful opportunity to serve the people of his State and the people of this country in the United States Congress. I take this opportunity for a slightly different purpose to address the House because this marks my last official day before the House of Representatives after 21 rac{1}{2} years. In that time I have had many successes and a few failures, many good times and a few moments of heartache. I have watched with just admiration the many statesmen and I have just watched those who are less so. I have learned some lessons along the way. Public service is a virtue. Term limits in my opinion is a stupid idea that deprives government of experience and small States of participation in leadership. Tolerance is a necessity. Politician is not a dirty word. And compromise is the glue that renders democracy possible. To my friends on the left, government left unwatched can lead to injustice. To my friends on the right, government is not inherently evil. Compassion is desired, but in its extreme it will deprive us of our freedom. My friends, America in the new millennium is like the great forests of the West some 200 years ago. Our ideologues on the left and the right are scouting the terrain and lighting the path to the future. Our trendsetters in both parties survey, decipher and construct the roads and bridges.”