As we approach Independence Day here is the second of the three part series of quotes on "Democracy." (The first part ran just before Memorial Day and the third will run run just before Labor Day. Enjoy and keep waving the red, white and blue.
George Orwell:
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.
George Washington:
As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.
Gore Vidal:
Apparently, a democracy is a place where numerous elections are held at great cost without issues and with interchangeable candidates.
H. L. Mencken:
Democracy is only a dream: it should be put in the same category as Arcadia, Santa Claus, and Heaven.
H. L. Mencken:
As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.
The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920
H. L. Mencken:
A good politician under democracy is quite as unthinkable as an honest burglar.
Hermann Goering:
Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country. quote verified at snopes.com
Howard Winters:
Civilization is the process in which one gradually increases the number of people included in the term 'we' or 'us' and at the same time decreases those labeled 'you' or 'them' until that category has no one left in it.
Hubert H. Humphrey:
The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously.
Irving Kristol:
Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions - it only guarantees equality of opportunity.
J. William Fulbright:
In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.
Jane Addams:
We have learned to say that the good must be extended to all of society before it can be held secure by any one person or any one class. But we have not yet learned to add to that statement, that unless all [people] and all classes contribute to a good, we cannot even be sure that it is worth having.
Jane Auer:
Voting is one of the few things where boycotting in protest clearly makes the problem worse rather than better.
Jerome Nathanson:
The price of the democratic way of life is a growing appreciation of people's differences, not merely as tolerable, but as the essence of a rich and rewarding human experience.
Jerome Nathanson:
The price of the democratic way of life is a growing appreciation of people's differences, not merely as tolerable, but as the essence of a rich and rewarding human experience.
Jesse Jackson:
In politics, an organized minority is a political majority.
John Bright:
Demand the ballot as the undeniable right of every man who is called to the poll, and take special care that the old constitutional rule and principle, by which majorities alone shall decide in Parliamentary elections, shall not be violated.
John Dewey:
The aim of education is to enable individuals to continue their education ... (and) the object and reward of learning is continued capacity for growth. Now this idea cannot be applied to all the members of a society except where intercourse of man with man is mutual, and except where there is adequate provision for the reconstruction of social habits and institutions by means of wide stimulation arising from equitably distributed interests. And this means a democratic society.
John F. Kennedy:
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.
John Gardner:
The citizen can bring our political and governmental institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can.
John Simon:
Democracy encourages the majority to decide things about which the majority is ignorant.
Laurence J. Peter:
Democracy is a process by which the people are free to choose the man who will get the blame.
Lillian Hellman:
Decision by democratic majority vote is a fine form of government, but it's a stinking way to create.
Lord Acton:
The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the party that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections.
Lyndon B. Johnson:
We preach the virtues of democracy abroad. We must practice its duties here at home. Voting is the first duty of democracy.
Mark Twain:
Citizenship is what makes a republic -- monarchies can get along without it.
Mark Twain:
We adore titles and heredities in our hearts and ridicule them with our mouths. This is our democratic privilege.
Meg Greenfield:
Everybody's for democracy in principle. It's only in practice that the thing gives rise to stiff objections.
Mohandas K. Gandhi:
To safeguard democracy the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect, and their oneness.
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