Patrick Mayhew Quotes

In a functioning liberal democracy, we cannot normalize political violence.

The spirit of democracy cannot be established in the midst of terrorism, whether governmental or popular.

To me, I was right from the beginning, because it's my right as an American to speak up and question our president, have my point of view, have my opinion, question what I want to question, and say what I want to say about our government.

Democracy is much too important to be left to public opinion.

Dictators will be replaced, not by civil war and terrorism, but by organized nonviolent movements that will insure that freedom, human rights, and dignity will be honored under all flags.

Terrorism and its executioners have their own agenda, entirely independent of the popular will, of democratic considerations or institutions, or of the aspirations and desires of the community they claim to represent. They are defeated, not by the operation of some mystical force called ‘popular will’, but by the force of arms. Their activities are not some convenient substitute for the ballot box; they are an absolute rejection of every value integral to democracy.

The democratic process is always vulnerable and threatened by terrorists, by parties that do not believe in democracy.

I think it's the height of patriotism to continue to exercise your right as a citizen and to hold your government to account. Isn't that what the very essence of democracy is about?

Debate and discussions strengthen democracy but violence during protests weaken democracy.

I don't think we should be undermining our democracy.

In a democracy, nothing is more sacred than the mandate given by the people.

Democracy must learn to defend itself.

Even if I were knocked down by one gunshot it wouldn't affect our democracy and I wasn't knocked down and I have great confidence in our democracy and in Taiwan and in the people of Taiwan.

Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.

All terrorism is theater.

Democracies are poor breeding grounds for terrorism and war.

In a sense, terrorism blossomed in the advent of television. Television promotes terrorism in religion and in politics.

Al Qaeda's message that violence, terrorism and extremism are the only answer for Arabs seeking dignity and hope is being rejected each day in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain and throughout the Arab lands.

We have accepted the principle of democracy and we are committed to respect the popular verdict and the result of that national consultation.

My primary motivation for running for the 9th Congressional District is that I strongly believe that one of the hallmarks of the American democracy is a representative form of democracy.

Unfortunately, the true force which propels our endless political disputes, our constant struggles for political advantage, is often not our burning concern for democracy, it is often of our dedication to the principle of the rule of law.

And it is essential that in fighting terrorism, sacrifices should not be made on democracy.

Liberty does not exist where rights are on one side and power on the other. To be liberty, rights must be armed with vital powers. A people cannot be free who do not participate in the control of the government which operates upon them.

I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change.

Our constitutional liberties shall not be sacrificed in our search for greater security, for that is what our enemies and all enemies of freedom and democracy hope to achieve.