Political Quotes

“Why would the Democratic Party, why would the Republican Party want to take money from the gambling industry that brings about corruption and addiction? I also saw a study that came out the other day from Vermont where it says, the medical journal Pediatrics, ``High school students who gamble are more likely to engage in other health-risk behaviors.'' The study surveyed 21,000 8th through 12th graders in Vermont, median age 15. More than half of these young people reported they gambled in the last 12 months. Those who gambled in the last 12 months had a number of things in common: Male; frequent illegal drug use; not using seat belts, and driving after drinking alcohol. I sent a letter to both the Democratic national chairman and the Republican national chairman asking them to stop taking soft money, and neither have agreed. I think this bill is the best bill, the most balanced bill, the one that can pass, and the one that can be signed into law. For those reasons, I urge that no one vote ``present'' on this one. I urge everybody on both sides, whether they voted for Shays-Meehan or voted against Shays-Meehan, here is an opportunity. Support the Hutchinson- Allen bill, which will do away with soft money once and for all, so the gambling interests and other special interests can no longer corrupt the political process.”