Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, before I talk about my amendment, I would first like to thank Congressman Sarbanes for his work on this bill. H.R. 1 is a comprehensive, good government bill that goes a long way in wresting power away from elites who abuse our political system for narrow self-interests. This legislation would return power where it belongs: in the hands of working people. As long as corporations and mega-donors finance campaigns, well- connected insiders will continue to call the shots. Mainers have seen firsthand what can happen when the power is returned to the people. In 1996, our State's voters passed a referendum establishing the Maine Clean Elections Act. By collecting small donations from people in their communities, Maine candidates refuse the donations of lobbyists and the well-heeled, and concentrate instead on face-to-face conversations with their neighbors. This empowers a community to choose a representative in a battle of ideas instead of a battle of bank accounts. Maine's clean election reforms have been supported and used by candidates of all parties in my State. Republican, Democratic, Green Party, and independent candidates have used our clean election system. In fact, in 2018, a Republican candidate for Governor used the system because he understood that it was going to free him up to spend his time going door to door and talking to the very people who he wanted to represent as Governor of the State of Maine.…”