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I would like to believe I would not have behaved differently had I not made a term limits pledge, but my own frailties and human desire for prestige and position tell me my term limits pledge did make a difference in how I approached my job in Congress.

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
Believe
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Pledge
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Differently
Would
Jobs
Congress
Like
Tell
Limits
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Behaved
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Approached
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Politics
Prestige

More quotes by 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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My relationship with Barack Obama isn't based on my political philosophy or his.
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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Welfare reform happened with reconciliation half the Democrats voted for it. The Bush tax cuts happened with reconciliation twelve Democratic Senators voted for it. You didn't have a real partisan issue on those times that it was used
Tom Coburn
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I firmly believe that the court should take another direction on many of these moral issues that face us.
Tom Coburn
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It is inexcusable for the White House and Congress to not even make the effort to find at least some offsets to this new spending, ... No one in America believes the federal government is operating at peak efficiency and can't tighten its belt.
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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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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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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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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Careerism: the self-centered philosophy of governing to win the next election above all else.
Tom Coburn
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And I thought I would just share with you what science says today about silicone breast implants. If you have them, you're healthier than if you don't. In fact, there's no science that shows that silicone breast implants are detrimental and, in fact, they make you healthier.
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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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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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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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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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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Expose widespread waste and duplication in federal spending.
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
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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