Barack Obama Quotes

The democratic process is supposed to be one person one vote, but it turns out that money is talking louder than the votes.

Democracy is one person, one vote and a full discussion of the issues that affect us. Oligarchy is billionaires buying elections, voter suppression and a concentrated corporate media determining what we see, hear and read.

Billionaires and corporations buy and sell politicians, while citizens struggle to exercise their right to vote or hold their elected representatives to account.

I think our politicians are bought by the highest bidder and that until we clean up our election system, then we cannot make progress on any of the issues. That's what drives me - we must restore our democracy.

Here in Maine, we know that the system of special interests influencing elections runs contrary to our democratic values.

The American people's vote can't be bought.

Until we totally change the way we elect our leaders, until we remove private money from public campaigns, lying will be the de facto method of governance in this country.

Do the elected officials in Washington stand with ordinary Americans - working families, children, the elderly, the poor - or will the extraordinary power of billionaire campaign contributors and Big Money prevail? The American people, by the millions, must send Congress the answer to that question.

It starts with campaign finance reform.

I'm not going to take any special interest money or any PAC money... when I get to Washington I want to be the voice for the people of Connecticut and not owe special favors.

The people of this country, not special interest big money, should be the source of all political power.

It is very important at this juncture to eliminate the influence of big money and special interests in politics.

Large sums of money really unbalance the democratic process.

There are over 30,000 lobbyists circling around the 535 members of Congress. The people should have their Senator as their lobbyist.

There once was a time when people chose their congressmen. Now congressmen choose their people.

Our democratic system is slowly being corroded and eroded by the influence of PAC money.

To me, it's a different kind of voter suppression to constantly try to make people feel like the election is over before it's even begun.

It's pretty clear that Americans have a strong interest in knowing who's trying to influence their vote in elections.

I think members of the legislature, people who have to run for office, know the connection between money and influence on what laws get passed.

The very foundation of our democracy depends on the integrity of our elections.

For more than a century, states have sought to protect the integrity of the democratic process at the state and local level by regulating corporate spending in elections.

Let's face it, politics in this country is coin-operated. Does that really equate to a real democracy? It's very difficult to say.

Frankly, the left wants to be able to steal elections when necessary.

I'll be working every day to help elect voting rights champions in Missouri and around the country.

Either you're for ending Citizens United, or you're not. So, if you're for ending Citizens United, then act like you are against corporations influencing our democratic process.