John Jay Hooker Quotes

I think it's appropriate in America for anyone to speak out and say what their reaction is to the president's State of the Union speech.

Most Americans aren't the sort of citizens the Founding Fathers expected; they are contented serfs. Far from being active critics of government, they assume that its might makes it right.

A short exposure to the convention convinced me that the Internet may save the Democracy in that it is a way for the people, for the citizens, to have some direct influence on the government.

I think Twitter will be a fundamental part of how people interact with their government.

You know, when we get to a point in this country where dissent is extremism, we've turned, I think, a very dark page in our history. And I don't want us to go there. I encourage Americans and I'm - right now, to go to these town hall meetings, to - to talk to your Congressmen, the people that you elected.

The Internet has brought democracy to so many other things. It's about time the Internet brought democracy to democracy.

Even with censorship, the Internet is a force for change.

The government must give men and women without power a real say over what happens to them, and the means of engaging in a participative, invigorated and living democracy.

When the three branches of government have failed to represent the citizenry and the mass of the media has failed to represent the citizenry, then the citizenry better represent the citizenry.

I sincerely believe blogging can save America.

As a society, we haven't spent as much time building the citizen Internet.

Right now, with social networks and other tools on the Internet, all of these 500 million people have a way to say what they're thinking and have their voice be heard.

The nature of a democracy consists to an important degree in the right of the people to criticize problems and mistakes.

Freedom of expression - in particular, freedom of the press - guarantees popular participation in the decisions and actions of government, and popular participation is the essence of our democracy.

Freedom isn't free. It shouldn't be a bragging point that 'Oh, I don't get involved in politics,' as if that makes someone cleaner. No, that makes you derelict of duty in a republic. Liars and panderers in government would have a much harder time of it if so many people didn't insist on their right to remain ignorant and blindly agreeable.

Governments must ensure that the power of blogs is cultivated and implemented in collaborative ways, with a view to preserve peace and human dignity.

An empowered public is the foundation for a stronger society, more effective government, and a more successful state.

As a businessperson, I don't have the power to change the government. That is in the hands of the political leaders. However, as a taxpayer, we have the right to be critical of the government and demand change.

I've found that when you roll up your sleeves and join people in their daily work, they tend to open up quite a bit and let you know what they really think about the issues facing our country and what kind of job they think the government is doing.

A government of, by and for the people is obligated to conduct the nation's business in a manner that respects dissent.

If we all say the same thing, then I think the government has to listen. But because no one is saying it, I become singled out, even though what I'm saying is common sense. It's very essential values that we all have to protect. But in Chinese society, people are giving up on protecting these values.

I'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work. Of course it doesn't work. We are supposed to work it.

What's profound and exciting is the way young people are taking advantage of the fact that the Internet enables everyone to have a megaphone. It enables everyone to stand up and say, 'I deserve to be heard, and I demand that you listen.'

The function of government is to provide you with service; the function of the media is to supply the Vaseline.

I’m an elected official so I can talk at any time or any place, light or dark.