Rick Santelli Quotes

When the people's voice cannot be heard, that's when we make mistakes.

I think it's the height of patriotism to continue to exercise your right as a citizen and to hold your government to account. Isn't that what the very essence of democracy is about?

Every voter has a right to criticise a government and comment on its functioning.

A basic tenet of a healthy democracy is open dialogue and transparency.

People say, 'If you don't vote, then you don't have a right to say anything. But nine times outta 10, I pay more taxes than they do - so even if I don't vote, I still have the right to speak out.

The American public should simply accept no distractions. In our democracy, it is our duty to hold our elected leaders accountable. We do it at the ballot box.

I want to be fighting for a society accountable towards its citizens.

The government serves the people - not vice-versa.

Democracy is not elections. Democracy includes elections.

We are not the consumers of democracy, we are its proprietors.

We live inside a democracy, and you know, public will matters in a democracy. I just hope it's informed public will, and frankly, when the decisions are made, you understand the costs.

I'm proud of Congress as a body. At the end of the day, we're the people's house, and we should be very mindful that we represent the people.

I want my kids to grow up in a country where, you know, we can still shout questions at the president.

Citizens need to know how their countries are being run so that they can hold governments and big business to account.

Why should the PM be placed on such a high pedestal? That an ordinary citizen should not even have the guts to write a letter to the PM?

The country's future is what you will make it. Make your local representatives in parliament and assembly more answerable. Ask for more transparency in use of public funds.

No matter what age people are, I hope the lesson is to be engaged. Understand what your government is doing. Follow them. Ask questions. There is a price to be paid for speaking truth to power, but you can live through it.

Voting is fundamental in our democracy. It has yielded enormous returns.

Our democracy is predicated on the belief that our government should be accessible by the people. We cannot allow ourselves to give in to fear or shy away from interacting with the public.

I believe to go along to get along is unpatriotic. I believe that agreeing with your government on everything they do is unpatriotic. I believe a patriot stands up and holds your government's feet to the fire. Because if you do that, you will get good government.

The fight for reform comes down to a simple goal: giving our citizens the confidence that government serves the people first and the people only.

A politician ought to be born a foundling and remain a bachelor.

I decided to run for governor because I got mad... I want to make government more directly accountable to the people.

Democracy is not theater - it determines life and death!

Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people.