Sherman Minton Quotes

Democracy is not theater - it determines life and death!

In a democracy, a leader must be the head teacher, someone eager to respond to doubts and questions and explain the need for and the benefits of a new course.

Government, in the last analysis, is organized opinion. Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government.

Democracy has always been in crisis: democracy is all about practicing the art of bearable dissatisfaction. In democratic societies, people often complain about their leaders and their institutions. The gap between the ideal democracy and the existing one cannot be bridged.

So I think democracy, in the long-term, in our countries will survive if it comes to be associated with leadership, will not survive if democracy plus media brings to us more and more followship rather than leadership.

The Senate floor is and always has been the great arena of our democracy. I spent eight years in my younger life as a boxer, and sometimes when I enter the chamber, I think, 'This is the ring. The American people can see us here and listen to our arguments. This is where the fights matter.'

In a democracy, power implies responsibility.

Opinion and protest are the life breath of democracy—even when it blows heavy.

Good government

In a democracy, a man who does not listen cannot lead.

A basic tenet of a healthy democracy is open dialogue and transparency.

What should be targeted is a concept of organic, and not just mechanic, democracy that preserves the rule of law, separation of powers, and that is participatory and pluralistic.

The better the information it has, the better democracy works. Silence and secrecy are never good for it.

To lead a country, you must periodically hold a national consultation in which people representing different programmes can make a bid for power.

The Australian public are very fair and they are always prepared to give the leader of a major political party a fair go.

Good government is good politics.

The merit of a democratic regime rests on one's continual willingness to exchange views, and to compete on the basis of individual merit and capacities.

Democracy is not about making speeches. It is about making committees work.

The essence of good government is trust.

A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy educated, participatory followership, and an educated, morally grounded leadership.

You must see the persons who are in charge - persons you can punish or vote for.

At least the politicians are accountable to the voters.

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

As a president I will be like the candidate that I am, a respectful candidate, a rallying candidate, a normal candidate for a normal presidency, at the service of the Republic.

I never knew a government yet that wanted to do anything.