All James L. Buckley Quotes
- This source of corruption, alas, is inherent in the democratic system itself, and it can only be controlled, if at all, by finding ways to… Alas
- Unfortunately, in today's world we have to be reminded that the power of an oath derives from the fact that in it we ask God… Accountable
- They may then be willing to cast principled votes based on an educated understanding of the public interest in the face of polls suggesting that… Based
- What people fail to appreciate is that the currency of corruption in elective office is, not money, but votes. Appreciate
- In rendering its decision in our case, the Supreme Court equated money with speech because these days it takes the first to make yourself heard. Case
- I had hoped that the current presidential campaign debates might educate the public as to what is really involved in the ongoing controversy over campaign… Afterlife
- If enough people openly engage in conduct once considered reprehensible, we rewrite the rule book and assume that God, as a good democrat, will go… Along
- The kind of corruption the media talk about, the kind the Supreme Court was concerned about, involves the putative sale of votes in exchange for… Campaign
- What distinguishes the campaign finance issue from just about every other one being debated these days is that the two sides do not divide along… Along
- Under the circumstances, may I suggest another means of encouraging probity in elective office. I refer to term limitations, which can serve ends beyond that… Another Means
- Given the difficulty of resisting such temptations over the longer run, a proper concern for the welfare of congressional souls may well be the ultimate… Argument
- As a consequence, the Court ruled that the limits on campaign spending violated the First Amendment, but it accepted the $1,000 limit on individual contributions… Accepted
- I am persuaded that in the case of elected officials, the overwhelming temptation is to conclude that it is more important for your constituents that… Case
- In the last analysis, of course, an oath will encourage fidelity in office only to the degree that officeholders continue to believe that they cannot… Accountability
- It would seem, therefore, that this constitutional safeguard may no longer serve its original purpose, especially when, as we learned last year, some acts of… Acceptable
- Once it becomes impossible for members of Congress to make a career of legislative service, the temptation to bend a vote for whatever reason may… Angels
- The Court made an exception, however, in the case of candidates contributing to their own campaigns because of the rather reasonable presumption that a candidate… Campaigns
- Moreover, we are showing a dismaying tendency to recast God in Man's image. Dismaying
- One camp accepts the Court's limits on contributions but urges the reinstatement of spending caps - even if this requires a constitutional amendment subjecting political… Accepts
- Unfortunately, the media, which are not at all reluctant to act in their own self-interest, have succeeded in equating reform in the public mind with… Act