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.
I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil. Everything we do is to improve it, if it happens in our day; if not, let us transmit to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for their unhappy lot and an abhorrence of slavery.
When Harvey Weinstein threatened to sue me, it was like the scene in 'Harry Potter' where an invitation to Hogwarts is coming in through every window and fireplace and every opening in the house.
The country shall be independent, and we will be satisfied with nothing short of it.
When I was a child, I saw my father diving to the deepest point in the ocean with the U.S. Navy.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.
Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us.
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