Political Quotes

On the recordApril 25, 2018
it is hard to find the words that will truly reflect what an abomination the campaign finance system in America has become. The fact is, the only people who seem happy with the current state of campaign finance are billionaires who have phones full of contact information of the most powerful people in the land. Otherwise, if you are a typical American--putting in a hard day's work, supporting your family--you probably have the sense the campaign finance laws are rigged for the big and the powerful. There was an era when running for office was as simple as putting your name out for the public, getting a few local civic groups in your corner, and bringing in a few modest donations to get your campaign off the ground. Certainly, it is not that way anymore. It has now been well chronicled how a wave of money--particularly from a few secretive powerful individuals like the Koch brothers--has flooded American politics in the last few decades. That has grown exponentially in the years since the Citizens United decision. The fact is, there has been a tidal wave of dark money buying influence across America's political system. This isn't just about too many political ads on television and radio. Voters know that unless they unplug entirely and settle for a life out in the woods, they are going to see a lot of ads.…
Said by
Ron Wyden
Democratic · Oregon
Source
govinfo.gov
Apr 25, 2018

Share

More from Ron Wyden

Aug 3, 2026

There are other examples of how Mr. Clayton is willing to say anything in defense of Donald Trump’s corruption and abuses.

wyden.senate.gov
Aug 3, 2026

I am also deeply concerned about Mr. Clayton’s role in the abusive subpoenas issued to New York Times journalists.

wyden.senate.gov
Jul 31, 2026

As such, we encourage the Commission to proceed with this rulemaking and pursue enforcement against deceptive hidden fees, surveillance pricing, and markups related to food and grocery deliveries.

wyden.senate.gov
Aug 19, 2026

Bees and butterflies will all benefit from this fresh federal investment in pollinator health that’s a key to fighting drought and supporting landscapes native to Oregon.

wyden.senate.gov

Other voices in this conversation