Sibel Edmonds Quotes

Washington's a cesspool of money.

Too often, they play to whatever group is the loudest down at City Hall, and they buy them off, essentially.

We do live in an environment of crony capitalism, and the main reason we do is that loopholes are for sale, and both parties have their hands out through those loopholes.

He [Donald Trump] buys and sells politicians of all stripes.

Half the lobbyists in this town claim credit for the sunrise at least once a week.

Our government is for sale.

The bottom line is that if politicians weren't in the business of granting favors and exacting tribute, every single issue surrounding campaign finance reform would be irrelevant. After all, why would anyone spend money for influence, access, favors and tribute if the only thing that politicians do is to live up to their oaths to uphold and defend the Constitution?

When these political action committees give money, they expect something in return other than good government.

I have the most reliable friend you can have in American politics, and that is ready money.

The biggest problem that we have is that California is being run now by special interests. All of the politicians are not anymore making the moves for the people, but for special interests and we have to stop that.

Our form of democracy is bribery, on the highest scale.

As a lobbyist, I thought it only natural and right that my clients should reward those members who saved them such substantial sums with generous contributions. This quid pro quo became one of hallmarks of our lobbying efforts.

D.C. is more corrupt than Hollywood. It really is.

People in Washington do things that they shouldn’t do because they owe somebody.

You can’t have a corrupt lobbyist if you don’t have a corrupt Congressman or staff member…. It’s a team effort.

Farmers who are legislators are the easiest to buy and seduce.

[Lobbying] has reached such a position of power that it threatens the government itself. Its size, its power, its capacity for evil; its greed, trickery, deception and fraud condemn it to the death it deserves.

Money in politics leads to bad things—and I am bipartisan in that view.

Tom Delay is a bag man for cigarette companies.

Politicians can be bought and often are.

Congressmen are not bribed anymore. They simply have a lot of friends who are willing to help them out whenever they find it necessary.

Good men and women come to Washington and get caught in a culture of corruption.

Friendship is the most corrupting influence in politics.

CBC: Corrupt Bastard’s Club

Money speaks louder than words in Washington.