Nicholas Johnson Quotes

America has the best politicians money can buy.

The average American doesn't realize how much of the laws are written by lobbyists.

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

I have been around long enough to know that when large amounts of money are donated to politicians, something besides good government is expected in return.

Much of the money raised in politics does not come free of charge.

Of all American politicians, the small-bore officials who run the states are the most greedy and the least scrupulous… Relatively paltry sums, if well placed, could bring the passage of helpful laws, the veto of harmful ones, and, in a pinch, the nullification of judicial opinions.

Lobbynomics

This [political fundraising] is a very sophisticated system … This is a legalized bribery system where no one has to say anything. I don’t have to say what I want—you [the politician] know what I want.

Money is the mother's milk of politics

Our government is for sale.

Lobbying has become a term of reproach, as if it were improper to push for a particular belief. This has happened because of paid lobbyists whose opinions are for hire and the fear that decision-makers, whether politicians or officials, are susceptible to their charms and wiles. This has tarred entirely proper lobbying with the same brush.

If you took money out of politics, you'd solve 80 percent of all the problems.

Money greases the wheel of American democracy and corrupts it all.

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

Big money has hijacked our politics.

Washington DC is corporate-occupied territory.

Big money tries to purchase its own agenda. Money does too much talking in Washington. Every senator, every representative, even the president awakens each morning with a number in his head that will drive the whole day. The number is the amount of money that must [be] raised that day for his reelection. If he fails, the next day's number will be even higher.

When dealing with American politics, you try to follow the money, and that's where it leads you. It doesn't take you to the electoral college or to Princeton. It takes you down the darker alleys of American life.

Enough to using Texas as a political laboratory for testing far-right ideas. Enough to using Texas as a workshop for fattening the wallets of their special interest friends and supporters. And enough of politicians listening only to each other, rather than real Texans.

It is money, money, money! Not ideas, not principles, but money that reigns supreme in American politics.

You know they say the most dangerous person of the world is a member of the United States Congress just home from a three-day fact-finding trip.

Money has too big an influence on our politics in Washington and somehow we need to do something about that.

Washington's a cesspool of money.

Great wealth took possession of the government. It was reflected in Mr. Harding's selection of a cabinet.

Most successful American politicians look well-fed on endorsements, campaign contributions and chicken dinners.