Henry David Thoreau Quotes

The American Government will be what we all make of it.

There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship.

The value of government to the people it serves is in direct relationship to the interest citizens themselves display in the affairs of state.

A government of, for and by the people, requires much from the people.

Dishonesty in government is the business of every citizen. It is not enough to do your own job. There's no particular virtue in that. Democracy isn't a gift. It's a responsibility.

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.

It is not the Government, the members of Parliament to whom the ultimate decision belongs, it is up to you to go forward sure of your sacred right of free opinion, sure of your patriotism.

But in the end our government usually - not unfailingly - is responsive to the people; and usually - not always - will try to do what is right.

We, as citizens, are the true owners of government.

The great thing about our system of democracy is when they call you for jury duty, you have to come... It's an honor and a privilege. I was called and I've got to be here.

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

Being a citizen in a democracy involves more than just voting. It means being involved for the common whole.

It is citizen participation that nourishes the strength of a democracy.

We have a great nation to help govern. We who are citizens of this great republic are favored children, yet we are all the time complaining; but that is one of the inalienable privileges of an American to complain about his neighbor and government-always crying for a change. But, with all of its faults, this is the best government for man on the face of the earth

Abstention is a dereliction of citizenship: always cast a vote, if only to cast stones at the most hated.

Because all of us believe that our democratic form of government can cope adequately with modern problems as they arise, it is patriotic as well as logical for us to prove that we can meet new national needs with new laws consistent with a historic constitutional framework clearly intended to receive liberal and not narrow interpretation.

An actual residence of such a length of time as would give a man an opportunity of esteeming the Government from knowing its intrinsic value, was essentially necessary to assure us of a man’s becoming a good citizen.

Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, not just every four years, but all the time.

I believe that our vote is both a public duty and a sacred trust.

If you believe in democracy, than you can't trash it by being cynical about the people who do democracy: the politicians.

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?

Democracy depends on well educated and engaged citizens.

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

As citizens, we have to co-create good governance, we cannot outsource it and hope to be passively happy consumers. Like everything worth its while, good governance must be earned.

When all Americans believe that the people we elect deserve to be in power, that their conduct in office is worthy of respect, and that they can be held accountable for their decisions, our politics will finally be worthy of our great people.