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The career politicians in Washington had transformed a government for the people into a government for themselves and for special interests.

Tom Coburn

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Tom Coburn
Age: 72 †
Born: 1948
Born: March 14
Died: 2020
Died: March 28
Obstetrician
Physician
Politician
United States Senator
Casper
Wyoming
Thomas Allen Coburn
Interest
Washington
Political
Interests
Government
Politician
People
Career
Careers
Special
Politics
Transformed
Term
Politicians

More quotes by Tom Coburn

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When I came to Washington, I was troubled to observe so many similarities between the behaviors of drug-addicted patients and my political colleagues. In Washington power is like morphine.
Tom Coburn
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I believe all life has value, from conception to natural death. And I believe the intentional taking of human life, except to save lives, should be a capital offense, as it is in most states in America today
Tom Coburn
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It is a real issue, a measurement of our society, when we say it's fine to destroy unborn life who has a heartbeat at 16 days post-conception.
Tom Coburn
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Few things infuse a member of Congress with more courage than self-imposed term limits or an imminent retirement. The issues they choose to focus on in their final months say a great deal about what are really the most important issues in the country.
Tom Coburn
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An easily accessible and transparent database of contract information will bring sunshine into the confusing and sometimes shadowy practice of government contracting.
Tom Coburn
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We're gonna put $456 million to go to an island of 50 people? You know... The bridge to nowhere. And this is right after Katrina happened. And so I offer an amendment to take that money from Alaska and repair the stuff in Louisiana.
Tom Coburn
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You deliver 2,000 babies or better - 3,000 by that time. And that's, you know, at minimum, three people each. And then if you take grandparents or grandparents of siblings and aunts and uncles, you know, you get - a 100,000 votes outta that
Tom Coburn
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Everybody in America is going to have to sacrifice to help us rebuild the Gulf Coast. Every government program, every individual, we are all going to have to sacrifice
Tom Coburn
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A super-legislator body is not what the court was intended to be, When I ponder our country and its greatness, its weakness, its potential, my heart aches for less divisiveness, less polarization, less finger-pointing, less bitterness, less mindless partisanship.
Tom Coburn
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I'm proud of our country that we elected Barack Obama. I mean, it says something about us nationally. You know, it's kind of like crowning your checker when you get to the end of your checker board. Here's another thing that says America's special: Barack Obama, president of the United States.
Tom Coburn
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I'm very disturbed at the picture that was painted by Senator Ted Kennedy that Samuel Alito is not a man of his word, that he is dishonest. The implication that he is not reliable I don't think is a fair characterization of what I've read.
Tom Coburn
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Lesbianism is so rampant in some of the schools in southeast Oklahoma that they'll only let one girl go to the bathroom. Now think about it. Think about that issue. How is it that that's happened to us?
Tom Coburn
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The danger of what's happening right now in terms of using reconciliation is, the purpose of the Senate is going to be defeated. And that is to bring consensus to big issues in this country.
Tom Coburn
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I still believe that term limits is the best way to ensure that the next generation, not the next election, is the central concern in our elected bodies.
Tom Coburn
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Republicans should simply focus on first principles and give the American people what they want - an honest party dedicated to common sense, fiscal responsibility and limited government. If we govern to save the country, we'll do well as a party.
Tom Coburn
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Careerism: the self-centered philosophy of governing to win the next election above all else.
Tom Coburn
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I can't see the country electing another Bush, i love Jeb Bush - I think he's a nice guy. I just can't see it.
Tom Coburn
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Statesmen exhibit five key commitments: 1) A commitment to principles above politics 2) An ability to compromise without abandoning principle 3) A commitment to truth over spin 4) A commitment to courage over cowardice and 5) A commitment, or willingness, to give up power.
Tom Coburn
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There will be no insurance industry left in three years.
Tom Coburn
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It is easy to see how after receiving this adoration for a term or two most members become convinced they are indispensable.
Tom Coburn