Keith Ashdown Quotes on Government (5 Quotes)

You can't treat the Congress like they're a bunch of buzzing flies around your head, ... They're your bosses because they represent the American taxpayers.

We've known for years that there are some easy things on paper. But it's politically hard to limit the budgetary footprint of the federal government. Any item you try and cut, you're going to tick off an 800-pound gorilla that fights with a sledgehammer.

We considered it one of the worst items in the bill. It's a slush fund for the oil and gas industry that would have been in the backyard of one of the more powerful members in Congress.

I have better things to do than hunting around for where the money is hidden, ... We would rather the government be doing this, creating a one-stop shop. Is that really too much to ask

There are thousands of quid pro quos that occur daily in the halls of Congress. Earmarking is the quo. It's what lawmakers can offer to lobbyists in exchange for political contributions and whatever else. It's part of the puzzle.