Frederick Douglass Quotes

We must have our freedom now. We must have the right to vote. We must have equal protection of the law.

Some of us gave a little blood for the right to participate in the democratic process.

Citizenship means standing up for everyone's right to vote.***

Full participation in government and society has been a basic right of the country symbolizing the full citizenship and equal protection of all.

I never miss a vote; I think that's the power of the people. A lot of people fought and died for us to have votes, for women to have votes in particular - your vote is your one weapon.

The vote is a trust more delicate than any other, for it involves not just the interests of the voter, but his life, honor and future as well.

When we talk about fighting for our country, we're talking about our vote, our vote is our arms.

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

I came into American politics and into this political system proud of politics and the way we make decisions.

As an American citizen, one has to vote. If we don't vote, we're not doing our part. We'll become some sort of oligarchy.

Every citizen has to figure out what kind of government he or she wants.

Women risked their lives for the right to vote. When I hear people say, 'Oh, I'm not gonna vote,' I just wanna tear their heart out.

I am proud to be in the Senate. I have always been proud to be a part of our political system. It is a remarkable privilege to participate in this system of ours.

When and under what conditions is the black man to have a free ballot? When is he in fact to have those full civil rights which have so long been his in law?

We need an amendment that gives us the right to vote protected by the federal government and the Constitution.

I feel a real responsibility to my community and so right now there has been this bizarre myth in our community how our vote doesn't count. I'm trying to get out there and re-educate on how the government works and break that myth and talk about the importance of being involved.

If you have a government that is elected, they need to do the hard work - because if they don't, they won't be around the next time the ballot box is open.

Suffrage, noun. Expression of opinion by means of a ballot. The right of suffrage (which is held to be both a privilege and a duty) means, as commonly interpreted, the right to vote for the man of another man's choice, and is highly prized.

I'm the one who initiated the democratic process.

The Government and the Parliament, even the House of Lords, will consent to a large increase of electors; and men who have not considered the subject fully will imagine they have gained much by the concession.

We, as citizens, are the true owners of government.

I still have a great deal of faith in our political system and a great deal of faith in the American people and voter.

The government, whether state or central, is elected. That means we have a responsibility to elect the right kind of leaders.

You know, we're taught that in a democracy power comes from being elected.

I'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work. Of course it doesn't work. We are supposed to work it.