Henry David Thoreau Quotes

Only votes talk, everything else walks.

Those who stay away from the election think that one vote will do no good: T'is but one step more to think one vote will do no harm.

Our history is that we can very aggressively, if necessary, and openly and democratically discuss our differences. We have a democratic history in which we come together and vote on these things.

By voting, we add our voice to the chorus that forms opinions and the basis for actions.

I'm responsible. I even did a commercial for MTV saying how I was going to register to vote. And I still haven't.

As a citizen of a community, if you never vote or engage, don't be surprised when the outcome doesn't serve your interests; you've never done anything to push things in the right direction.

Elections belong to the people. It is their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.

Democracy is about aggregating the collective power of citizens to speak in their behalf.

Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, not just every four years, but all the time.

A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men. When the majority shall at length vote for the abolition of slavery, it will be because they are indifferent to slavery, or because there is but little slavery left to be abolished by their vote. They will then be the only slaves. Only his vote can hasten the abolition of slavery who asserts his own freedom by his vote.

If we don't participate in it, it ceases to be a democracy. So Obama will rise or fall based not so much on what he does but on what we do to support him.

We need to get better at voting and be a voice for the people who do not have one.

In reality, there is no such thing as not voting: you either vote by voting, or you vote by staying home and tacitly doubling the value of some Diehard's vote.

Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens.

Voting is fundamental in our democracy. It has yielded enormous returns.

It is difficult to understand these people who democratically take part in elections and a referendum, but are then incapable of democratically accepting the will of the people.

Let the people decide whom to vote for, who has more authority. And only people, only our citizens, are able to place the final emphasis, voting for this or that person or political force, or rejecting it. That's democracy.

I think most people realize that our problems are our government, not me and you individually, except that we can - must have some sort of responsibility, because they're in there and they were elected, so we have to defend ourselves on those lines.

It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting.

Elections are an enduring spectacle of free India, and have provided foreign journalists with the opportunity to remind the world that India remains the world's largest democracy.

It's not the voting that's democracy; it's the counting.

Power is action; the electoral principle is discussion. No political action is possible when discussion is permanently established.

Democracy is not a spectator sport, it's a participatory event. If we don't participate in it, it ceases to be a democracy.

I think the American people should express their preferences, and we'll accept their choice.

There were a number of referendums in '98 that most of the things I voted for passed. That's very satisfying when you feel that most of the country is in step with your views.