Civic Quotes

“We must use our democratic processes to the full and obtain the widest possible participation of our people in the decisions of our government.”

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

“The strength of our democracy depends on the active participation of its citizens.”

“You're not going to be a 100-percent, C-Span-watching, totally informed citizen. But you can do a lot better than what we're doing.”

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

“The lakefront by right belongs to the people. It is not to be appropriated for the selfish and exclusive use of a few.”

“You can't have a functioning democracy without a reasonably informed electorate.”

“I've always said that if I could have one wish, it would be that the people of this country would understand their government.”

“We cannot be a world-class city without a world-class airport.”

“The first thing you have to do is pay attention to politics. You have to vote. You have to be an activist.”

“You can't have a democracy without an educated populace.”

“Democracy is never a thing done. Democracy is always something that a nation must be doing.”

“Ignorance is the source of bad citizenship.”

“Our democracy is not a spectator sport.”

“I worry a lot about the state of American history and civics education.”

“Democracy is not a spectator sport.”

“The most patriotic thing you can do is to be a critical thinker.”

“You cannot have a first-class city without a first-class library.”

“The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.”

“Casting a vote is not a righteous duty. It is not a moral obligation. It is a simple impossibility for any man to vote intelligently who does not take the time to study the issues and the candidates.”