George H. W. Bush Quotes

If our society is to address social issues, it will be done at the local level or not at all.

It is an incredibly hopeful experience watching communities come together and actually reassemble democracy. The democracy's been taken away from us. But they're reinventing democracy out there in rural Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, in Pittsburgh.

What we have ignored is what citizens can do and the importance of real involvement of the people versus just having somebody in Washington make a rule.

We've got to figure out a way to cause communities to also want them, the political, organized bodies.

The cooperation of government at its different levels is important and can only be achieved as long as the people of Chicago are directly involved in our efforts and supportive of our goals.

Change happens from the bottom up - all of us as individuals deciding that we will and we do have an impact.

I love being a part of something that is grassroots, and you can see the actual changes, the effect of what people do.

Use your voice on the local level where it has the potential to be more widely heard.

New Jersey has faced its own history of citizens demanding change and federal engagement in programs to address the needs of our community. We have also seen the success of law enforcement in our state when members work to listen to our communities and build a brighter future alongside our residents.

One of my philosophies is that citizens are the mayor... so we have citizens play an integral role in making policies and implementing them.

I believe that one of the most important things to learn in life is that you can make a difference in your community no matter who you are or where you live.

No matter what the issues are, it has to be handled at the grassroots. When you take part in something, even though that movement may lose, the juices start flowing and you feel you count. You count. Well, that's pretty important.

Being politically active is "more about doing things, not just standing for some platform or being involved in some political party."

Politics matters. Ideas matter. Democracy matters, because all of us need to be able to make a difference.

what I love about city government is that the citizens can create whatever kind of city they're willing to build.

I want Americans to realize that we are the owners of this country, and that one person can make a difference.

Your job is to inspire people from your neighborhood to get out.

The biggest hurdle that our communities have is cynicism - saying it's a done deal, who cares; there's no point to voting. If we can get somebody to care, it's a huge victory for the movement and the causes we're trying to advance.

Trying to learn from communities and engage with policy makers and community organizers all across the country is really important to me.

The way to change the world is through individual responsibility and taking local action in your own community.

I believe in decentralized democracy.

My only agenda is, I would like to see mainstream America more empowered to set an agenda.

I really believe you've gotta put the power in the people. They're the ones who are gonna make the experience.

The people who care the most about the folks in your community are living in the community. They don't live in Washington, D.C.

A small group of motivated citizens can potentially have as much influence as a lobby group spending millions of dollars.