Edward Snowden Quotes

I wanted to be what my high-school civics and history teacher thought of as a good American. That automatically involved taking an interest in government.

I had become increasingly concerned in recent years about the lack of civics education in our nation's schools. In recent years, the schools have stopped teaching it. And it's unfortunate.

Citizens are refined, cultivated, and very political. I believe in the legitimacy of their participation.

An actual residence of such a length of time as would give a man an opportunity of esteeming the Government from knowing its intrinsic value, was essentially necessary to assure us of a man’s becoming a good citizen.

When you Google me, you'll find a lot of people don't like Richard Dreyfuss. Because I'm cocky and I present a cocky attitude. But no one has ever disagreed with the notion I represent, that we need more civic education. So far there's 100 percent support for that.

I always preach that you have to be active as a citizen no matter what, and some people just voting as an excuse not to do anything.

Civic education and civic responsibility should be taught in elementary school.

A constitutional democracy is in serious trouble if its citizenry does not have a certain degree of education and civic virtue.

I believe that engaging in the political process is part of being a good person.

On the diffusion of education among the people rest the preservation and perpetuation of our free institutions.

The first duty of an American citizen, then is that he shall work in politics.

Whatever we do in government, teaches.

For America to work, Americans have to participate. If they don’t pay attention, they’re going to get screwed.

I believe that when you provide information to people, they become less fearful and they will engage more in their democracy if they are empowered with information.

The business of education has lay[ed] the foundations for nurseries of wise and good men, to adapt our modes of teaching to the peculiar form of our government . . . . He must be taught to love his fellow creatures in every part of the world, but he must cherish with a more intense and peculiar affection the citizens of Pennsylvania and of the United States.

Even civics classes have almost disappeared from the schools. So things have not gotten any better.

I'm moved to think about the political state of our country right now. Most people who go out and vote have a very clear sense of what's right and wrong. And a lot of those people who don't aren't sure, so they don't go out and vote.

Since an early age I was taught to be very politically aware and knew from childhood that the process was something I wanted to contribute towards if I could.

I don't think there was really a time when I have not been politically aware.

But, you know, I'm sorry, I think democracy requires participation. I mean, I don't want to proselytize but I do feel some sort of duty to participate in the process in some way other than just blindly getting behind a political party.

Only a knowledgeable, empowered and vocal citizenry can perform well in democracy.

I think we may be seeing the beginnings of a resurgence of civic-mindedness in this country. Hopefully the younger generations, which came out in record numbers during the last presidential election, will pass their enthusiasm on to their children.

An educated people can be easily governed.

Democracy is interactive... It's a constant job of information, education, explanation, listening, and interactive communication.

With regard to the youth vote we should encourage them to partake in the process, making more use of our education system to show the role Government plays in their lives, but also utilise the youth media they relate to to better connect them to our message.