Herbert Croly Quotes

I ask you to find your voice and use it not only to choose your elected officials but to shape the issues that will shape our lives.

And in a democracy, when we say we're mad at what's going on, what we need to be saying is we're mad at ourselves.

On the show, we are not trying to get people to eat their vegetables; we are not trying to get people to become Democrats. We are basically trying to encourage people to get involved with public life so that politics isn't left to the wealthy and privileged.

The only way back toward a democracy and economy that work for the majority is for most of us to get politically active once again, becoming organized and mobilized.

We need to find a way to empower citizens to make governments take notice.

I have always believed that on important issues, the leaders must lead. Where the leaders fail to lead, and people are really concerned about it, the people will take the lead and make the leaders follow.

The whole thing about elections in Liberia - it's not about the way you take care of people, it's not about the heart, it's about education, according to the perception of some people.

We can and must move U.S. politics forward by means of committed participation.

Forget the polls and remember the people.

Politics is not a spectator sport. You can't just sit on the sidelines.

Public policies in our democracy are eventually a reflection of public opinion," so public opinion must be reshaped if we are to avoid disaster.

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

You know the voice of the people is a very, very powerful tool.

If we don't participate in it, it ceases to be a democracy. So Obama will rise or fall based not so much on what he does but on what we do to support him.

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

I really feel that political will is born out of popular will.

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.

I hope you realize, in a democracy, laughter is assent.

By voting, we add our voice to the chorus that forms opinions and the basis for actions.

Party action should follow, not precede the creation of a dominant popular sentiment.

You need to remind people that you vote, you matter, and that they can't succeed without your help.

I sow; my successor reaps. This is the majesty of democracy.

I acknowledged that I owed my presidency to People Power. I resolved during my presidency that I would in turn empower the people.

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.

In general people feel more relaxed about participating in politics. They aren't frightened as they used to be.