James Douglas Quotes

It's an embarrassment that we don't have a broad enough consensus among political leaders that true reform should take place. I could count the members of Congress on one hand that took these issues seriously.

The job of an elected official is to communicate, to talk with constituents, to talk with the people of America, and I think Alexandria is excellent at doing that.

Know how your representatives stand on major national or state issues.

Congress is full of good, decent, smart people who have devoted their lives to public service.

President's are compelled to shout across the gap between politics and society.

The Government should be taking notice of the youth of today so much more. They're trying to keep the rich, rich and the poor, poor. If I sat down with David Cameron in a room, I would ask him how he feels about it and what the hell he's doing about it.

Politicians are always interested in people. Not that this is always a virtue. Fleas are interested in dogs.

We represent people, and any good congressperson wants to know how their people at home feel about issues. I can tell you for sure in our office that is taken into account, and that is true for any congresspersons I know.

A statesman, we are told, should follow public opinion. Doubtless, as a coachman follows his horses; having firm hold on the reins and guiding them.

These days there are not enough of such intermediary groups, between the state and the individual, with the result that political leaders are often unduly guided by opinion polls.

I don't care a straw for your newspaper articles, my constituents don't know how to read, but they can't help seeing them damned pictures.

It's wrong that members of Congress can purchase luxury airfare with taxpayer money when many families in my district and across the county are struggling to make ends meet.

If one of my colleagues wants to block a bill, they should stand up in front of the American people and explain why.

I think voters want somebody who understands their problems. You're right that they don't expect the president to fix everything. When he's wrestling with Congress and Wall Street and the rest of the world, they hope he'll be looking at things from their vantage point.

One never expected from a Congressman more than good intentions and public spirit.

If you are a representative, and poor people don’t vote, you’re not going to pay particular attention to the needs of the poor.

Real political issues cannot be manufactured by the leaders of political parties. The real political issues of the day declare themselves, and come out of the depths of that deep which we call public opinion.

If the American people are going to support a policy than they had better be made to understand the rationale.

The Latin American people have become fed up with the 500 year siesta and the lack of opportunity. So they come to the United States. But that is because the leaders of their countries do not do anything to improve the situation…. When Mexican President Fox took office he observed that over half the Mexican population was living in poverty and that he was unlikely to make significant changes during his remaining term in office. That was a sophisticated way of saying to the Mexicans, “Go to the United States!”

Members of Congress will pay attention to members of their own districts.

I have never seen American politics so divisive…. We can’t have Congressman not voting for things America needs because it is not popular in their district. We have to put America first.

No, I look at the senators and pray for the country!

Congress is the voice, the conscience, and the judgment of the American people

In a democratic society like ours, relief must come through an aroused popular conscience that sears the conscience of the people's representatives.

I trust the American People more than American Institutions.