Ajit Pai Quotes

While the protection of speech is at the bedrock of our democracy, it's critical as a nation that we exercise our right every day - and that includes embracing and engaging with those we may not agree with.

A key part of our democracy is having a marketplace of ideas, open forums where people with diverse viewpoints can be heard and treated with respect.

The Constitution protects freedom of speech, but we must expect more from our elected officials to heal divisions in our country and unequivocally condemn anti-Semitism.

We should not have the president of the United States referring to segments of American society as the enemy of the people.

Let us heed the voice of the people and recognize their common sense. If we do not, we not only blaspheme our political heritage, we ignore the common ties that bind all Americans.

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.

Shouting down and intimidating someone from speaking their mind is not exactly a Vermont town meeting value, nor should it be an American town meeting value.

The level of discourse in this country is falling to a depth that cannot be sustained.

Avoid any specific discussion of public policy at public meetings.

The people currently in charge have forgotten the first principle of an open society, namely that we may be wrong and that there has to be free discussion. That it's possible to be opposed to the policies without being unpatriotic.

The Senate floor is and always has been the great arena of our democracy. I spent eight years in my younger life as a boxer, and sometimes when I enter the chamber, I think, 'This is the ring. The American people can see us here and listen to our arguments. This is where the fights matter.'

Part of what's great about America, and Canada as well, is that we can talk about our political leaders in public.

American democracy is greater with free speech and open dialogue.

It is not undemocratic to express one's difference of opinion.

When people don't like my politics, I am happy to have a political discussion with them.

As a country, we still have a lot of work to do. We need to agree on some basic rules for civil discourse.

When I hear President Trump suggest policy ideas that run counter to American ideals, I speak out. In the same vein, when my constituents disagree with me, I welcome and champion their right to speak out.

To debate political objectives, views, and goals is the most American thing conceivable.

The strongest democracies flourish from frequent and lively debate, but they endure when people of every background and belief find a way to set aside smaller differences in service of a greater purpose.

I'm not against speaking publicly and having passion for something. One of the cardinal beauties of America is that we have the freedom to do so.

I think it's appropriate in America for anyone to speak out and say what their reaction is to the president's State of the Union speech.

Let's start to have a grown up debate in this country about who we are and where we want to go and what kind of country we want to build.

Political civility is not about being polite to each other. It's about reclaiming the power of 'We the People' to come together, debate the common good and call American democracy back to its highest values amid our differences.

As crucial as religion has been and is to the life of the nation, America's unifying force has never been a specific faith, but a commitment to freedom - not least freedom of conscience.

Whether we are New Dealer, Old Dealer, Liberty Leaguer or Red, whether we agree or not, we still have the right to think and speak how we feel.