It is tragic what we do in the poorest neighborhoods, entrapping children in child laws which are truly stupid. Saying to people you shouldn't go to work before you're 14, 16. You're totally poor, you're in a school that's failing with a teacher that's failing. ... I tried for years to have a very simple model. These schools should get rid of unionized janitors, have one master janitor, pay local students to take care of the school. The kids would actually do work; they'd have cash; they'd have pride in the schools. They'd begin the process of rising.

Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, quoted in the Washington Post

Basically, my family and I are thankful that this has been resolved.

State Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland, after pleading guilty to getting the same expenses reimbursed by both the state and his campaign account.

This is like saying that we need a policeman in every house, a camera in every house because we want to prevent child-beating and wife-beating.

Presidential candidate Ron Paul of Texas, on the Patriot Act

I'm not saying we need to put him in a Motel 6. His lifestyle should mirror what's going on with jobs in this state. Get a nice place. I think he could find one for much, much less than $9,000 or $10,000 a month.

Becky Moeller, president of the Texas AFL-CIO, on Gov. Rick Perry's $10,000 per month rental mansion