I was looking for a new iPad app the other day when I came accross one from the The Center on Congress at Indiana University called "Civic Quotes."
The Civic Quotes project includes 64 notable quotations – from a variety of U.S. government leaders over the years – that cover four main topics: representative democracy, role and impact of government, democratic process/compromise, and citizen participation.
They also have a website where you can also experience the quotes. It is a wonderful resource, giving us great words to ponder, where we can also learn about the person who gave us the particular quote. It helps us put their words in context, along with a picture to help set the scene.
This project is part of our Teaching with Primary Sources at the Center on Congress at Indiana University program, funded by a grant from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program.
As we prepare ourselves for the 2012 Presidential Election, it is a good for us to remember where we have come from and where we are headed. One of those quoted, reminds us that our participation is important.
“People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote - a very different thing.” ~ Walter H. Judd
It is up to us to make our voices heard, not only for ourselves but for those who do not have a voice. We need to speak on issues, we need to get out and vote. It is part of our civic duty.
And in all of this, we must use civility in how we treat those who do not agree with us. Nobody will listen to us if we use a fist to make our points. We need to offer our voice and our vote and allow others to do the same.
It is our democracy and it is what we make it.
"Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us." ~ Barbara Jordan
