Peter Defazio Quotes

Powerful Peter Defazio for Daily Growth

About Peter Defazio

Peter DeFazio, born on August 15, 1947, is an influential American politician and writer, currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Oregon's 4th congressional district since 1987. Born in Springfield, Oregon, DeFazio grew up in a politically active family, fostering his interest in public service from a young age. DeFazio attended the University of Oregon and graduated with a degree in political science in 1969. He then moved to Europe for two years where he traveled extensively, honing his perspective on global politics and economics. Upon returning to the United States, DeFazio became deeply involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement, which significantly shaped his ideological leanings towards peace and justice. DeFazio's political career began in earnest when he was elected as Lane County Commissioner in 1976. He later served as Oregon Secretary of State from 1985 to 1987 before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he has remained a prominent figure. Throughout his congressional career, DeFazio has been known for his progressive stance on issues such as environmental protection, transportation infrastructure, and economic justice. He authored several significant bills, including the Rail Safety Improvement Act (2008) and the Green New Deal Resolution (2019). In addition to his political work, DeFazio is also an accomplished author. His books, such as "The House I Live In: A Memoir" (2007), offer insight into his personal life and political views, providing a unique perspective on American politics from a grassroots level. DeFazio's biography underscores the importance of perseverance, activism, and commitment to public service in the face of adversity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We have a responsibility to leave this planet in better shape than we found it."

This quote by Peter DeFazio emphasizes our moral obligation as human beings to preserve and improve the state of our planet for future generations. It highlights the importance of sustainability, conservation, and responsible resource management as a fundamental duty. In essence, it underscores the need for us to make conscious efforts to minimize our negative impacts on Earth and strive towards a greener, cleaner, and more resilient world for those who will inherit it from us.

"The question is not whether we can afford to invest in our future, but whether we can afford not to."

The quote suggests that investing in our future should be considered as a necessary expense rather than an optional luxury. It implies that the cost of failing to invest in areas such as education, infrastructure, research, and development could potentially lead to more significant economic and societal consequences in the long run. In essence, it underscores the importance of proactive investment for a prosperous future.

"Innovation and entrepreneurship must be nurtured if America's economy is to continue to grow and create jobs."

This quote emphasizes that for the American economy to persist in growth and job creation, it's crucial to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Innovation refers to new ideas, methods, or products that bring about progress. Entrepreneurship is the process of turning these innovative ideas into successful businesses. By nurturing both, America can continue its economic growth trajectory by creating jobs as a result of such innovative ventures.

"It is the role of government to help level the playing field for small businesses so they can compete with large corporations."

The quote by Peter DeFazio emphasizes that it's the responsibility of the government to create a fair competitive environment for small businesses, which often face challenges competing against large corporations due to resources, market presence, or influence. By leveling the playing field, this could involve policies such as reducing regulations on small businesses, offering financial aid, promoting local procurement, or enforcing antitrust laws to prevent monopolies and unfair competition. Overall, the goal is to foster a healthy economy by ensuring that all businesses, regardless of size, have an equal opportunity to thrive.

"We have a moral obligation to address climate change, not just for our own sake, but for future generations who will inherit this planet from us."

This quote underscores the ethical responsibility we, as current inhabitants of Earth, hold towards future generations by emphasizing that addressing climate change is not just about preserving our present way of life, but also securing a sustainable and habitable planet for those who will inherit it from us in the future. It highlights the intergenerational equity principle, suggesting that the impacts of our actions on the environment should be considered not only within our lifetime, but also for the long-term welfare of future generations.

Similarly, establishing a firm timeline for bringing our troops home could accelerate the development of Iraqi security forces and deepen their commitment to defending their own country and their own government.

- Peter DeFazio

Country, Own, Iraqi Security, Security Forces

The training and equipping of Iraqi security forces should be accelerated.

- Peter DeFazio

Security, Iraqi Security, Security Forces

About 75 percent of the crude oil marketed here is sold off the books, and they are doing trades that would be illegal if it was a regulated market, and of course they do not want to regulate it.

- Peter DeFazio

Doing, Here, Sold, Trades

To the contrary, I believe the U.S. military has already done all that has been asked of them. Saddam Hussein is on trial. The threat from alleged weapons of mass destruction programs in Iraq has been neutralized.

- Peter DeFazio

Been, Mass, Hussein, Alleged

There is a lot of lip service paid in this Congress and downtown at the White House about family values and small business. Who better represents family values and small business than the fishermen and women on the Oregon and California coast.

- Peter DeFazio

Small, Small Business, Fishermen

Second, the resolution contains the blatantly false assertion that negotiating a timeline for bringing U.S. troops home with the Iraqi government undermines U.S. national security. Such a statement shows a misunderstanding of the enemy we face in Iraq.

- Peter DeFazio

Enemy, Resolution, Iraqi, National Security

A timeline for bringing U.S. troops home that is negotiated with the Iraqi government would also boost the Iraqi government's legitimacy and claim to self-rule, and force the Iraqi government to take responsibility for itself and its citizens.

- Peter DeFazio

Also, Iraqi, Troops, Claim

In addition to a timeline, I have proposed that U.S. troops be removed from front line combat positions in Iraqi cities and towns, turning over daily security patrols, interactions with citizens, and any offensive security actions to the Iraqis themselves.

- Peter DeFazio

Line, Combat, Iraqi, Proposed

Essentially, when we run a deficit, we are borrowing money to buy things that are made overseas.

- Peter DeFazio

Money, Made, Buy, Borrowing

In recent years, breweries and brew pubs have flourished across the Nation. And, as the Representative from Oregon's fourth district, I have enjoyed seeing the diversity that craft brewery has fueled across the Nation.

- Peter DeFazio

Craft, Nation, Pubs, Recent

Of the 55 refineries closed in America in the last 10 years, they were all closed for economic reasons, mostly oil company mergers. Not a single one was closed for environmental purposes or objections.

- Peter DeFazio

Last, Reasons, Mostly, Objections

It was Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda who attacked the U.S. on September 11, 2001, not Saddam Hussein and Iraq.

- Peter DeFazio

Hussein, Bin, Iraq, Al-Qaeda

Saddam Hussein was a brutal tyrant. I am glad he is now on trial for crimes against humanity. But, opposition to a dictator is not the measure I use when deciding whether to send our men and women in uniform off to war and possible death.

- Peter DeFazio

Death, Against, Hussein, Send

Even the majority of the Sunnis have grown tired of foreign terrorists operating in Iraq.

- Peter DeFazio

Tired, Even, Terrorists, Operating

The U.S. cannot force Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds to make peace or to act for the common good. They have been in conflict for 1,400 years.

- Peter DeFazio

Good, Years, Been, Kurds

In crude oil trading, we have seen a 46 percent increase over 1 year in the margins there.

- Peter DeFazio

Over, Trading, Margins, Crude

First off, the crude oil market, unlike every other commodity in America, is virtually unregulated.

- Peter DeFazio

Other, Commodity, Virtually, Crude

The U.S. must renounce any U.S. interest in constructing permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.

- Peter DeFazio

Interest, Permanent, Bases, Constructing

But they are not going to take on Big Oil because Big Oil is very generous at campaign time, and this is all about the elections. They want to pretend that they are doing something meaningful.

- Peter DeFazio

Doing, Big, Very, Campaign

Nor should the U.S. military be forced to remain in Iraq essentially as an army for one side of a civil war.

- Peter DeFazio

Civil War, Side, Forced, Essentially

The U.S. cannot impose freedom, security, and unity in Iraq by force.

- Peter DeFazio

Unity, Security, Impose, Iraq

There is no free market in oil.

- Peter DeFazio

Free, Free Market, Market, Oil

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