Political Quotes

“Many Americans wonder why this Congress has taken no effective action to stop another Enron debacle, and no effective action to prevent one multinational corporation after another from fleeing America in order to evade its taxes. Yesterday, we received the explanation, with all of its customary sensitivity, from the Republican majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), who attacked those of us who have initiatives to stop these acts of disloyalty to America by saying, 'This is akin to punishing a taxpayer for choosing to itemize instead of taking the standard deduction.' Most Americans may own a few pairs of Bermuda shorts, but they cannot become 'Bermudan' on April 15 and remain American the other days of the year to enjoy the benefits of our American citizenship. I believe this Congress needs to speak and act firmly to prevent those who forget the maxim of Thomas Paine, a great American patriot, who said, 'Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigues of supporting it.' Those who flee and abandon America, denouncing their American citizenship, are rejecting all our democracy represents.”