George J. Mitchell Quotes

It's obscene how money is driving politics.

The only people whose views count in the legislation that passes are those with big money. It doesn’t matter what the great majority of Americans want. Our Congress is bought.

Washington is dominated by big money.

Are my politics Democrat or Republican? I think both are horrific. And it doesn't matter anyway. Money runs America; money runs everywhere.

Big money is ruining the political system.

The political battle is between big money combines who spend a thousand pounds or more on every constituency they fight… when they speak democracy, they don't mean government by the people...they mean financial democracy, in which money counts and nothing but money.

The spree of big money campaigning—and the corruption that goes with it—seems guaranteed to worsen …. Campaign money handlers will keep pushing the limits wherever and however they can—and the integrity of our electoral system will pay the price.

Money is at the root of most that is wrong in American politics.

The appalling reality in American politics today is that, when ideology and money mix, truth is a mere inconvenience.

We have the best government that money can buy.

Washington's a cesspool of money.

Money often determines not only who gets elected, but what gets done. Which voices do lawmakers listen to, the banks or home owners, coal companies, or asthma sufferers, the CEOs or the unemployed?

America has the best congress money can buy.

Something is systemically wrong with Congress today, and it's money, the pursuit of money, the endless pursuit of money, the virtual hourly pursuit of money, either to finance the perpetual campaign or to maintain a certain standard of living.

Large sums of money really unbalance the democratic process.

Money in politics is like ants in your kitchen. You close all the holes and get them all out or they'll find their way in again.

Money distorts the democratic process in a fundamental way.

Politicians can be bought and often are.

On Capitol Hill money doesn't talk. It bellows.

Everybody must be removed [from public office] who has the mentality of the capitalist.

Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.

Politicians don’t have a spine any more. They pander to whoever will give them money

The Federal campaign contribution limit of $2,500 is way too low. You can’t even buy a Democrat for $2,500.

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.

And when the guy [politician] says “Yes, I took money, but it didn’t influence my vote”? Oh, come on. The company that’s giving you the money thinks it is going to influence the vote. Why else would they give you the money?