Berhanu Nega Quotes

I always saw politics as an expansion of my role as a mom.

There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship.

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

Devote that intelligent mind of yours to the problems of the state

It seems to me that any reason for people getting more active in running or taking part in politics and government I think is just terrific.

Even through sports, I have been serving the country. But later, I want to join politics.

I have struggled in life and this has made me sensitive towards the needs of others. Politics gives you the opportunity to really do something.

Citizenship has been out of fashion for some decades in our country, but now it is back in fashion. Weekends are for fighting tyranny. And that's why it's going to be really fun to see Democracy Now!

I believe to go along to get along is unpatriotic. I believe that agreeing with your government on everything they do is unpatriotic. I believe a patriot stands up and holds your government's feet to the fire. Because if you do that, you will get good government.

I became active in politics because I saw the possibility, if we all sat back and did nothing, of a world in which there would no longer be any stages for actors to act on.

The most important political office is that of the private citizen.

How could I remain a spectator while Singapore faces such complex challenges? How could I not step forward when I know I have more to contribute to the country we all worked to build?

'Unlikely Brothers' talks about the importance of citizen action and shows why and how we can make a difference.

Since 9/11, there has been a huge leap in people wanting to get personally involved in public service and international affairs.

Democracy is not a spectator sport, it's a participatory event. If we don't participate in it, it ceases to be a democracy.

I was raised to speak out about politics and the world around me. I would do it whether I was in the public or not. It is the way I was taught. The American way.

I have always told anyone who would listen that I was available for more public service.

Like a lot of people, I'm interested in public service and want to do as much as I can to change the direction of this country and will give some consideration to that after midterm elections.

I was looking for a new challenge and got an interest in trying to make a difference for families. You become more aware of how important families are. They are the key institution in our culture. The reason I got into politics was to try to make a difference for that key institution, whether it was tax policy, education policy, or whatever.

I was raised on the values of speaking up and making a positive difference in a very political family that believed in the importance of public service.

I have always been an active part of my community.

I believed in Bobby Kennedy. Campaigning for him was an attempt to give back something to this country that has given me so much.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Political action is the highest responsibility of a citizen.

For me politics is an extension of my role as a mother and a grandmother.