Russell B. Long Quotes & Sayings

Tax reform means, 'Don't tax you, don't tax me. Tax that fellow behind the tree.' — Russell B. Long

A government by secrecy benefits no one. It injures the people it seeks to serve; it damages its own integrity and operation. It breeds distrust, dampens the fervor of its citizens and mocks their loyalty. — Russell B. Long

Democracy is like a raft: It won't sink, but you will always have your feet wet. — Russell B. Long

I really think that it's better to retire, in Uncle Earl's terms, when you still have some snap left in your garters. — Russell B. Long

I expect to fight that proposition until hell freezes over. Then I propose to start fighting on the ice. — Russell B. Long

There are but three political-economic roads from which we can choose ... We could take the first course and further exacerbate the already concentrated ownership of productive capital in the American economy. Or we could join the rest of the world by taking the second path, that of nationalization. Or we can take the third road, establishing policies to diffuse capital ownership broadly, so that many individuals, particularly workers, can participate as owners of industrial capital. The choice is ours. — Russell B. Long

If the FDA would spend a little less time and effort on small manufacturers of vitamins ... and a little more on the large manufacturers of ... dangerous drugs ... , the public would be better served. — Russell B. Long

A tax loophole is something that benefits the other guy. If it benefits you, it is tax reform. — Russell B. Long

Bring on those tired, labor-plagued, competition-weary companies and ESOP will breathe new life into them. They will find ESOP better than Geritol. It will revitalize what is wrong with capitalism. It will increase productivity. It will improve labor relations. It will promote economic justice. It will save the economic system. It will make our form of government and our concept of freedom prevail over those who don't agree with us. — Russell B. Long