Mark Hertsgaard Quotes

We create our own government. We are responsible for its beauty and for its ugliness. We are responsible for its glories and for its failures and, most important, we are responsible for amending those failures no matter who are their most immediate architects.

For in a democracy, every citizen, regardless of his interest in politics, "hold office"; every one of us is in a position of responsibility; and, in the final analysis, the kind of government we get depends upon how we fulfill those responsibilities. We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve.

A republic is not an easy form of government to live under, and when the responsibility of citizenship is evaded, democracy decays and authoritarianism takes over.

Freedom exists only where the people take care of the government.

In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility.

I think most people realize that our problems are our government, not me and you individually, except that we can - must have some sort of responsibility, because they're in there and they were elected, so we have to defend ourselves on those lines.

No matter where you stand politically - even if you're unsure of what your political ideology is - it is important to take part in the process of shaping our government.

Liberty does not exist where rights are on one side and power on the other. To be liberty, rights must be armed with vital powers. A people cannot be free who do not participate in the control of the government which operates upon them.

I came into American politics and into this political system proud of politics and the way we make decisions.

As an American citizen, one has to vote. If we don't vote, we're not doing our part. We'll become some sort of oligarchy.

The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.

I feel a real responsibility to my community and so right now there has been this bizarre myth in our community how our vote doesn't count. I'm trying to get out there and re-educate on how the government works and break that myth and talk about the importance of being involved.

The value of government to the people it serves is in direct relationship to the interest citizens themselves display in the affairs of state.

I feel it's a person's duty to participate in the governing of the country in which he lives.

It is not the Government, the members of Parliament to whom the ultimate decision belongs, it is up to you to go forward sure of your sacred right of free opinion, sure of your patriotism.

We, as citizens, are the true owners of government.

To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.

I still have a great deal of faith in our political system and a great deal of faith in the American people and voter.

The government, whether state or central, is elected. That means we have a responsibility to elect the right kind of leaders.

All Americans value the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press, and I believe this is essential for our continued way of life. But with this freedom comes responsibility. That responsibility has been abdicated here by some in the media and some in the government.

I'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work. Of course it doesn't work. We are supposed to work it.

We must be loyal to the forum of our government.

The government serves the people - not vice-versa.

A democratic form of government, a democratic way of life, presupposes free public education over a long period; it presupposes also an education for personal responsibility that too often is neglected.

In a democracy, people usually get the kind of government they deserve, and they deserve what they get.