Political Quotes

“a front-page story of the New York Times today points to the fact of the enormous power of big money in terms of financial reform. They say: With so much money at stake, it is not surprising that more than 1,500 lobbyists, executives, bankers and others have made their way to the Senate committee that on Wednesday will take up legislation to rein in derivatives. . . . When Congress deregulated Wall Street and allowed them to do pretty much anything they wanted to do--which brought us to where we are today; i.e., a massive recession--they spent, over a 10-year period, $5 billion--$5 billion--in order to work their way on Congress. Last year, as we began to address financial reform, they spent $300 million. So the issue we are debating now is not whether Congress will regulate Wall Street, it is whether Congress will continue to be regulated by Wall Street. Their power is extraordinary. Their money is unlimited. If there was ever a time in American history where the Senate had to start standing up to big money interests and represent the needs of ordinary Americans, this is the time.”