Political Quotes

“I rise today in echoing really what some of my other colleagues have gotten up today to talk about on both sides of the aisle, calling for sweeping campaign finance reform. We live in the greatest representative democracy in the world, Mr. Speaker. But the massive amount of money that has found its way into our political system threatens to eclipse one of democracy's fundamental principles that everyone's vote counts the same. In the 1996 elections over $2 billion was spent in our political election system. More than $2 million of that was soft money. Some individuals contributed $2 million or more to one political party or another. Today, Mr. Speaker, elections are financed by a small minority of Americans. Less than one-half of 1 percent of the electorate gives contributions in excess of $200. Over the past 30 years less than 20 percent of the electorate has contributed to elections. Americans feel alienated from our political process, and they are demanding that we take action. Everyone involved in this system must be a part of the solution, both Democrats and Republicans. We must limit PAC contributions, restrict the use of soft money and temper the influence of independent expenditures by outside advocacy groups. In addition, we must give the Federal Election Commission real teeth to investigate, report, and discipline candidates who break the rules. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the public airwaves belong to the people.…”