Political Quotes

“pertaining to that bill I have just sent to the desk, Mark Twain used to tell the story about a businessman known for his ruthlessness. The man once told him that before he died he wanted to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, climb Mount Sinai, and read the Ten Commandments aloud at the top. "I have a better idea," Twain said. "Why don't you stay home and keep them." As I reintroduce my legislation to combat youth smoking, that is the same message I would like to send to the antitobacco zealots. They are more than happy to shout from the mountaintop their message against youth smoking, but I have a better idea--sit down and make it happen. The antitobacco advocates talk forcefully about the numbers of teenagers who begin smoking every day. In citing those figures, those advocates are nothing short of negligent if they reject my legislation and allow this issue to be delayed indefinitely by a court fight. They will clearly be choosing delay over compromise, self-promotion over certain progress. The fact of the matter is that while they are willing to spend millions of dollars on glitzy ad campaigns, they are not willing to spend any energy forging a compromise. They will not even come to the table. That kind of hardheadedness may mean they can enjoy the limelight a little bit longer, but what about the kids they say they want to protect?”