Eric Schmidt Quotes

Real lobbying reform must end the practice of corporate lobbyists writing our laws.

In reality, everybody in Congress is a stand-in for some kind of lobbyist. In many cases it's difficult to tell whether it's the companies that are lobbying the legislators or whether it's the other way around.

There’s a real fundamental need for us. You think we have a bad system now? Without us lobbyists, just see what kind of government we would have them

The only true solution to the campaign money problem is a return to a proper constitutional government that does not control the economy. Big government and big campaign money go hand-in-hand.

Corporations write the legislation. They vote on the legislation. And they give advice on how to pass their bills.

The Republican Party has steadfastly sided with its donors and its lobbyists, and this is why we're where we are.

Without putting the brakes on out-of-control campaign contributions from individuals and corporations - it will be business as usual, with 1 percent of Americans pulling the strings.

In the U.S. you have a system of lobbying and influence on our policy and law makers which is incredibly pronounced. The gas industry spent $250 million getting an exemption from our Safe Water Act. Every one of those dollars is toxic; a contaminant in our political system. It disrupts the normal flow of justice, science, fact and reporting.

If there are men in this country big enough to own the government of the United States, they are going to own it.

Eventually, money wins in politics.

We've got a thousand lobbyists in thousand dollar suits giving you a thousand reasons we can't change.

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.

From drug companies to health insurers to Wall Street banks, big corporations are spending millions to buy influence in Washington and drown out the voices of regular people.

Americans are not getting screwed by the Republican Party. They're getting screwed by the large corporations that bought and own the Republican Party.

You've got to just follow the money [in Washington]. You see it. There's no countervailing power.

Money is power in American politics. It always has been.

The scandalous question that hangs over modern government and excites perpetual outrage is about political money and what it buys. What exactly do these contributors get in return for the hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars they funnel to the politicians?

Big money buys access in Washington, and access purchases influence. It is as simple as that. And they have basically given a green light, a further green light, after Citizens United, to the biggest money to have the bigger voice in our politics, and to sound out and drown out the voice of just ordinary citizens.

I don't use my money to gain political influence for my private interests, which is what many rich people do, and what, in a sense, market fundamentalism does, because it is in the interests of people who have a lot of money to have as little taxes as possible.

I think it's a terrible system, but money in politics is like water running downhill -- it finds its way.

The problem is not that you can buy a congressman for $10000 but that you can buy a Washington lawyer for $100000.

The reason there are tens of thousands of lobbyists is because the ever-expanding federal government creates ever-increasing opportunities for abuse. The more the federal government does, the more lobbyists there will be to protect special interests at the expense of the common interest.

Who is in charge? Is it taxpayers or is it the special interest groups?

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.

That's one of the things about the Tea Party people. They think corporations have too much influence in American life and they do.