Voting is no substitute for the eternal vigilance that every friend of freedom must demonstrate towards government. If our freedom is to survive, Americans must become far better informed of the dangers from Washington -- regardless of who wins the Presidency.
Interpretation
Voting alone is not enough; citizens must actively monitor and engage with their government to protect freedom.
James Bovard emphasizes the importance of active participation in governance beyond just casting a vote. He argues that maintaining freedom requires constant awareness and engagement with governmental actions, highlighting the need for citizens to educate themselves about political issues and to remain vigilant against potential threats to their liberties, irrespective of the political party in power.
In practice
This quote could be used in a political rally to encourage citizens to stay engaged with civic duties.
Democracy is not freedom. Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to eat for lunch. Freedom comes from the recognition of certain rights which may not be taken, not even by a 99% vote. Those rights are spelled out in the Bill of Rights and in our California Constitution. Voters and politicians alike would do well to take a look at the rights we each hold, which must never be chipped away by the whim of the majority.
My feelings of revulsion and foreboding about nuclear weapons had not changed an iota since 1945, and they have never left me. Since I was 14, the overriding objective of my life has been to prevent the occurrence of nuclear war.
Now that I know the dangers? Yes, I still would do it again. Why? 'Cause look at me. Look at my family. They're able to eat, they're able to have food and shelter over their head. Would I play football again? Yes.
Armed Soldier, terrible as Death, relentless as Doom; doing God's judgement on the Enemies of God. It is a phenomenon not of joyful nature; no, but of awful, to be looked at with pious terror and awe.
The strike, the boycott, the refusal to serve, the ability to paralyze the functioning of a complex social structure-these remain potent weapons against the most fearsome state or corporate power.
I am known for a life spent in the struggle for freedom, and freedom includes the freedom of religion.
We wait till now? Now, when we're old men, we get to be brave?
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