This is supposed to be a participatory democracy and if we're not in there participating then the people that will manipulate and exploit the system will step in there.
Interpretation
Active participation in democracy is essential to prevent manipulation by others.
George Takei emphasizes the importance of engaging in the democratic process. He warns that if citizens do not actively participate, they risk allowing others, who may have selfish intentions, to dominate and exploit the system for their own gain, leading to a potentially unrepresentative and unjust governance.
In practice
During a town hall meeting, one might refer to this quote to encourage community involvement.
I remembered some people who lived across the street from our home as we were being taken away. When I was a teenager, I had many after-dinner conversations with my father about our internment. He told me that after we were taken away, they came to our house and took everything. We were literally stripped clean.
I'd like to think that, when I explain it, that Mr. Trump will understand marriage is defined by two people who love each other, commit to each other, and will care for each other through thick and thin.
Back in the day, coming out was something very personal. You began by acknowledging the truth, first to yourself, then to close family and friends. Those of us more in the public spotlight, though, also had to 'come out' to the press.
My father told me about American democracy. And he said you have to be actively engaged in the political process to make our democracy work. So I've been doing that my entire life. Civil rights movement. The peace movement during the Vietnam conflict. The movement to get an apology and redress for Japanese-Americans.
I'm especially concerned about the future of this country, because I'm concerned about the gay people of the future. We need to ensure their good life by registering to vote.
In many ways, my decision to come out changed the course not only of my personal life but of my professional one as well.
Your Constitution is all sail and no anchor.
The people are responsible for the character of their Congress.
The miasma of fear that is created through voter suppression is as much about terrifying people about trying to vote as it is about actually blocking their ability to do so.
I found that it was all right to have Martians saying things Democrats and Republicans could never say.
When you start talking about elections being rigged, you're pushing people beyond democratic governance. And it's a very, very dangerous thing to do.
There's no problem with a woman being president of the United States if you take her gender as a sole issue. Gender shouldn't matter.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.