Barbara Mikulski Quotes

Democracy is not simply a political system; it is a moral movement and it springs from adventurous faith in human possibilities.

We are in a democratic society. It's our job to question.

A democratic home is the foundation of a democratic state.

Courage is the lifeblood of democracy.

In countries where democracy is either non-existent or in development, on the other hand, citizens crave those freedoms. Maybe that is one lesson Western citizens can learn from those countries: treasure what you have. Use your rights and freedoms to effect the change you want.

The reason that democracies always defeat dictatorships is because they're open to debate. We should never allow Washington to say, 'Shut up, get in line and wave the flag.'

The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires change of heart.

Democracy is made up of three elements. One is whether the laws support pluralistic principles. The second is whether the people take advantage of these laws. The third element is whether the peoples' wallets are thick enough to benefit from this democracy.

Someone who does an act. In a democratic society, you're supposed to be an activist; that is, you participate. It could be a letter written to an editor.

Liberal democracy must finally become the vital element of our society.

Democracy can only spring from practising it early, and democratic action was not to expected from young people brought up under a close authoritarian system.

My message is that Democracy is not an alien invention. It is a way of solving problems in our society.

Once you have lost control over your people, you are on the road toward a potentially democratic society.

We have achieved political democracy. Now we must make certain it reaches the minds and souls of our people.

Among the foremost benefits of free government is that education of the intelligence and of the sentiments which is carried down to the very lowest ranks of the people when they are called to take a part in acts which directly affect the great interests of their country.

Democracy cannot be created out of thin air

I believe in defending democracy by preserving democracy, not by descending to the use of the same weapons used in dictatorships, whether of the Nazi or Communist stripe.

It is not suffrage that gives life to democracy; it is our democratic society that gives life to suffrage.

The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy.

Free societies...are societies in motion, and with motion comes tension, dissent, friction. Free people strike sparks, and those sparks are the best evidence of freedom's existence.

There is always the risk in advocating for democracy that the first people to wake up might not be your team, but that is a risk worth taking. I would rather have citizens I don't agree with organized and active than an oligarchy of people that I agree with.

I'm a citizen in a democracy. To call me an activist would be redundant. It's not a spectator sport. If we all become non-participants, it no longer works.

Democracy is disruptive... there is no right in a democratic civil society to be free of disruption.

Democracy depends on people speaking out, and in times of great crisis, on people creating a commotion.

Democracy is a life, and involves continual struggle.