Dave Obey Quotes

Powerful Dave Obey for Daily Growth

About Dave Obey

Dave Owen Obey (born February 14, 1945) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 7th congressional district for 24 years, from 1991 to 2015. Born and raised in Wausau, Wisconsin, Obey attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison and later worked as a high school teacher and basketball coach before entering politics. His political career began in 1976 when he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly. In 1989, he successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district until redistricting placed him in the 7th district in 1993. Obey is known for his work on budget and appropriations issues. He served as the Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations from 2009 to 2015, a role he used to advocate for increased funding for education, health care, infrastructure, and other domestic programs. He was also a key figure in the passage of the Affordable Care Act and the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Obey's political views are largely progressive. He is known for his outspokenness, particularly during contentious budget debates. Despite this, he maintained a reputation for bipartisanship and working across the aisle to get things done. After retiring from Congress in 2015, Obey returned to Wisconsin and continues to be active in public life. He serves on various boards and commissions, including the National Academy of Public Administration and the American University Washington College of Law's Legislative and Regulatory Process Program. Obey's biography provides a fascinating insight into a politician who combined teaching with policy making, using his platform to advocate for progressive causes while maintaining bipartisan relationships. His impact on domestic policy, particularly during his tenure as Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, continues to be felt today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The role of government is not to do everything but to assure that every citizen has a fair shot at life."

This quote by Dave Obey emphasizes the limited yet crucial role of government in society. He suggests that the purpose of government should be to establish a level playing field where each individual has an equal opportunity to succeed, rather than taking over all aspects of life. In essence, it's about ensuring fairness and equality among citizens while allowing them the freedom to shape their own destinies.

"We can't let our politics be dictated by fear and hostility."

This quote by Dave Obey emphasizes the need to avoid allowing negativity, such as fear and hostility, to control or dictate political discourse and decision-making. Instead, it encourages a more constructive approach that fosters understanding, collaboration, and progress in politics. Essentially, it's a call to focus on solutions rather than problems, and to approach our political landscape with hope and a spirit of unity, rather than division.

"Every generation must find its own way, but it helps if they know where they come from."

This quote by Dave Obey emphasizes the importance of understanding one's history as a guide for navigating the present and shaping the future. It suggests that while each new generation should strive to carve its own path, it is essential to appreciate the lessons, values, and experiences passed down from previous generations. This wisdom serves as a compass, offering guidance on how to proceed while ensuring continuity and preserving the legacy of those who came before us.

"The Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it."

This quote emphasizes that while the U.S. Constitution ensures certain fundamental rights and freedoms, it does not promise happiness as an outcome. Instead, it provides a framework for citizens to actively pursue their own definition of happiness through their personal endeavors, choices, and participation in society. It underscores the importance of individual responsibility and initiative in achieving personal satisfaction and fulfillment in life.

"Change is difficult and takes time, but we need not wait for perfection to start making progress."

This quote emphasizes that achieving meaningful change in any situation requires effort, patience, and persistence. It suggests that we should not aim for perfect circumstances before initiating action, as waiting for the ideal moment or conditions may never come. Instead, it encourages us to take steps forward, even if the progress seems small or imperfect, recognizing that consistent effort will lead to significant change over time.

The NRA was one of the items that we pointed to when we added money to the labor, health and Education appropriations bill by reducing the size of the tax cut.

- Dave Obey

Education, Cut, Added, Pointed

I think we have to be very careful when we toss around terms like 'cut health care costs.' We would do very well to expect a cut in the rate of increase.

- Dave Obey

Think, Costs, Very, Health Care Costs

We need to be careful when we talk about cutting health care costs. They are not going to be reduced - what we really want to do is do is slow the rate of increase.

- Dave Obey

Need, Be Careful, Costs, Health Care Costs

Society as a whole is better off when information is available to the public. Whether you are talking about how to prevent disease, or about who does the best job of treating disease, it is useful to provide as much information to the public as possible.

- Dave Obey

Available, About, Whole, Treating

We are going to see a tremendous number of health professionals retire over the next 8-10 years. We are not doing nearly enough to deal with this problem.

- Dave Obey

Doing, Next, Over, Retire

Experience taught me that working families are often just one pay check away from economic disaster. And it showed me first-hand the importance of every family having access to good health care.

- Dave Obey

Access, Away, Importance, First-Hand

I opposed Clinton's budget deal in 1997 because he brought in $115 billion cut in Medicare that created greater pressure for providers not to participate.

- Dave Obey

Deal, Opposed, Brought, Budget

If you want quality service, you have to pay for it. You don't buy into waste. I have great misgivings about the amount of advertising that we see in the health care field, some by hospitals, a lot by drug companies.

- Dave Obey

Some, Hospitals, Buy, Drug Companies

We don't have enough people going into those fields and there is a high burnout rate in some health care professions, so it is very important that we get more people into the pipeline right now.

- Dave Obey

Some, Very, Professions, Pipeline

This country owes them all a debt of gratitude. The down payment on that debt is making sure that we live up to Lincoln's charge: to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.

- Dave Obey

Country, Making, Owes, Orphan

You don't have to dislike people you disagree with and it doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to have bipartisan friendships in this place. Life's too short to have it any other way.

- Dave Obey

Other, Dislike, Friendships, Any Other Way

Experience burned into me the conviction that access to education ought to be based on how much you are willing to learn and how hard you are willing to work, not on how many dollars your family has in their bank account.

- Dave Obey

Education, Access, Willing, Ought

This is a very difficult question. If you take a look at the aging population and demographics, we are going to have a big increase in the number of health care jobs needed in the state and in the country.

- Dave Obey

Big, Country, Very, Aging

It puts the provider in a situation of looking for ways to have someone else pick up a piece of the cost. As a result, every customer who has insurance ends up paying a 'hidden premium.' It simply adds to the health care cost burden.

- Dave Obey

Insurance, Burden, Hidden, Customer

Whether you are from Minnesota, Wisconsin or any other Northern tier state, you are not going to like the reimbursement formula. The problem we face is that we wouldn't have that formula if a majority of the states didn't like it, and they have the majority of the votes.

- Dave Obey

Wisconsin, Other, Going, Votes

There is a sign that hangs on my wall that says, 'What is it you want me to do to somebody else that is more important than what you want me to do for you?'

- Dave Obey

Want, More, Somebody, Sign

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