Tom Hodgkinson Quotes

In Sacramento you simply had to think about what the law ought to be and leave it to someone else to implement. In San Francisco, you hear about it the next day.

Local politics is just as important as national - and often easier to influence.

This is essential that we have a resurgence in democratic participation. And I don't mean big-D Democrat, I mean small-D democrat. I mean getting involved in your neighborhood, your community. This is no time to say, "I'm not into politics." This is a time to go headlong into the welfare of this nation.

Barack is at a level where he can't - no matter how much he wants to or how much we want him to - he's not going to come take out our garbage, so to speak. He can't be the garbage man and the president. He can't be the mayor and the alderman. He can't fill all those roles. So I always push for local, local activity on the political scene.

I am often reminded that the wellspring of Vermont liberty flows from Main Street, not State Street.

You have the biggest impact on controlling, on affecting local lives as mayor. It's so much more important than being a state legislator.

People don't get involved with local charities or politics because they think it's hard to make a difference and the problem feels overwhelming. But I believe that if all I've time for this year is to write one letter to the local council, it's still worth doing.

But as important as the job to be done by government in the neighborhoods, the people must also be involved.

Political action is the highest responsibility of a citizen.

Obviously, local elections are where you can make the most difference, but it's great when everyone starts talking about what they believe in.

My experience as a county commissioner has taught me that the best ideas often come from our neighbors, church groups, and community.

I hope to make clear that involvement in small scale community work can make a difference in our city's politics.

Conservatives believe in patriotism, but equally in community and the importance of local identity. We believe in devolution. We believe in localism. We believe that decisions should be taken locally wherever is practical; that communities matter.

I've always believed in local government.

I think all politics is local.

You have to take over your town in order to take over your city.

I think you'll see a lot more people in the Valley get more involved in politics.

You should absolutely get involved, especially those local politics like school board seats. That's really where America happens.

We don't just show up at election time; we're there full time.

Being politically active is "more about doing things, not just standing for some platform or being involved in some political party."

I hope people become inspired to become active in their community. That's the important thing.

New England has a strong tradition of localism. What is ordinarily called election day in most of the United States is called town meeting day in Vermont.

That's what I'm about -- getting engaged. Too many people don't wade in the mud with the politicians.

It's very hard to complain about society if you don't get involved.

I feel like I'm a part of the Boston community.