If somebody asks me where I stand, I tell them. And that's not a way to get elected, generally. Nobody's going to elect me president of the United States. What I'd like to do is to be able to influence the dialogue. I'm a citizen
The President is the last person in the world to know what the people really want and think.
I'm kind of an accidental instrument, really, through which I hope that the judgment and the will of this nation can be expressed
Public officials often learn a great deal from the concerns and objections of citizens. (I certainly did) …. those who have the privilege of serving the American public should listen closely to those whom they are privileged to serve.
Over the past few years special interests have had a larger and larger say over who gets what in America, and the voices of average citizens are being shut out.
There is no method by which an average citizen can effectively fight the White House in the media.
Most of us complain about Congress. We say it's a place that doesn't reflect us; they don't listen to us. Actually, Congress well reflects the American people. It gives us exactly what we ask for.
Many will see [globalization] as little more than a mask used by certain economic elites for taking away the voice of the individual citizen.
I tell people, 'If you want to send a message to the White House, call my house.'
However much one tries to suppress the will of the people they eventually will have the last word.
Saying 'no' to very bad legislation is not wrong. In fact, when the American people tell you that they don't want the health care bill, you've got a responsibility to say no.
I want the Congress that really is going to listen to the people. I really don't care what party it is anymore.
People treat citizens like they're some kind of unreliable source, but citizens are data. They are a data set.
Politicians do what they hear from the American people.
The thing about local government is they want to hear what local people think, but for the most part, their systems are so long, dull and bureaucratic that people only get involved when there's an issue they really care about.
My view is the questions in Parliament should be the questions that people out there want asked.
I sort of feel we have to owe some respect to the process and owe some respect to the electorate and the people who voted Donald Trump, on the assumption that they have something to teach us.
Democratic power is the only voice most citizens have.
You know the voice of the people is a very, very powerful tool.
There's a tremendous gap between public opinion and public policy.
I'm always trying to invite citizens to participate in the process of public decision-making.
The Internet is changing the way we think of our relationship with government; it has the potential to bring to life what Abraham Lincoln said about the presidency being an instrument of the people.
I am raising my voice as a citizen of the country. I don?t want to enter politics.
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 send messages to the White House continuously.
