Frank-Walter Steinmeier Quotes

A constitutional democracy is in serious trouble if its citizenry does not have a certain degree of education and civic virtue.

Pastors can lead the way in motivating the faithful to wise stewardship of their citizenship responsibilities. Without a healthy culture and civil society, limited government and ordered liberty will be impossible.

The health of our republic depends on shared principles like the First Amendment, but it is also built on the Teddy Roosevelt-like vigor of its citizens and local self-reliance.

We are not merely historians but also and always citizens.

For America to work, Americans have to participate. If they don’t pay attention, they’re going to get screwed.

A popular society must provide a school for citizens where through the best, most accessible and direct means they may be educated in the pure doctrine of Patriotism.

Voting is how we participate in a civic society - be it for president, be it for a municipal election. It's the way we teach our children - in school elections - how to be citizens, and the importance of their voice.

I just wanna write about what I am living as a citizen. That's all.

The job of a citizen is to keep his mouth open.

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.

Democracy is not just voting for your leaders; it's really premised upon ordinary citizens understanding the issues.

It is the State which educates its citizens in civic virtue, gives them a consciousness of their mission and welds them into unity.

You can't be a full participant in our democracy if you don't know our history.

And they understand that to be an effective member of a democracy, you have to accept responsibility.

There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship.

Democracy is something that you must learn each generation. It has to be taught.

Voting is a civic sacrament - the highest responsibility we have as Americans.

The values and voices of democracy are silent. Either we have lost touch with those values or, no better, believe they need not or cannot be taught.

The first duty of an American citizen, then is that he shall work in politics.

To place and power all public spirit tends, In place and power all public spirit ends; Like hardy plants, that love the air and sky, When out, 'twill thrive—but taken in, 'twill die!

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

How shall those who practice election frauds recover that respect for the sanctity of the ballot which is the first condition and obligation of good citizenship? The man who has come to regard the ballot box as a juggler's hat has renounced his allegiance.

America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote.

… schools of liberty …. warehouses of disinterested patriotism

I think citizenship should count for something... and it really counts for nothing.