Money in Politics

"The end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when the government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations."  - Thomas Jefferson

"The day will come when our Republic will be an impossibility because wealth will be concentrated in the hands of a few.  When that day comes, we must rely upon the wisdom of the best elements in the country to readjust the laws of the country."  - James Madison

"Government is instituted for the common good: for the protection, safety, prosperity  and the happiness of the people and not for the profit, honor or private interest of any one man, family or class of men."  - John Adams

"The power of all corporations ought to be limited, . . . the growing wealth acquired by them never fails to be the source of abuses."  - James Madison

"The millionaire class and the billionaire class increasingly own the political process, and they own the politicians that go to them for money. . . we are moving very, very quickly from a democratic society, one person, one vote to an oligarchic form of society, where billionaires would be determining who the elected officials of this country are."  - Bernie Sanders

"There is no question in the world that money has control."  - Barry Goldwater

"When these political action committees give money, they expect something in return other than good government. . . Poor people don't make political contributions.  You might get a different result if there were a poor PAC up here."  - Bob Dole

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies." - Thomas Jefferson

"History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling money and it's issuance."  - James Madison