"Just because you do not take an interest in politics
doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you."
by:
Pericles
(495-429 BC) "The Olympian"
Date:
430 B.C.
Rating:
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Reader comments about this quote:
cradle to grave, welcome to the new, out of the closet, out in the open, Union of Socialist Amerika.
 -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Agree.
     -- Me Again     
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    A great argument for democracy, one man one vote, get involved, or suffer in silence. Also an argument to advance a more direct democracy.
     -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas     
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     -- manjusha, chennai      
    "An argument to advance a more direct democracy" ?? What on earth and Arkansas does that mean? I seriously doubt that Pericles had any notion of "advancing a more direct democracy."
     -- jim k, austin     
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    This is why I love it when socialists tell me how good it is that we can agree to disagree. I can advocate rights until I'm blue in the face, but in the end, they're still going to use the force of the state to violate me rights. It's like trying to convince a robber of why he shouldn't rob you, telling your master why you shouldn't be a slave or asking a serial killer to spare your life. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner." Ben Franklin
     -- Bryan Morton, Stuart, FL     
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    There rarely is an interest in Politics only a debt. And as far as advancing a democracy Pericles knew only to well where that would lead. And, please leave socialists out of the equation you have no idea what you are talking about - just look into the mirror... Under this administration we have socialized more dollars than any other president in our history. They are robbing you blind while your head is in the sand. Buffett's sweetheart deal is only his not yours - he's no fool. Presently, politics has a fortune in interest and they are not sharing it with us plebs.
     -- RobertSRQ     
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    Jim K, my Arkansas address is not correct. I picked that city and state just as a lark, so lay off of Arkansas. I do not represent their opinion. And you don't certainly represent Texas as attested to by the gentleman from Austin who often contradicts your lame attitudes. I know many Texans, Texans are friends of mine, and Jim K you are no representative of Texas. If you would ever pause to think and consider what a quote says and its' implication you would see that politics/policy effects us all and if you fail to participate suffer in silence. A larger participation is equivalent to a "greater democracy". Policy by the "demos" the people. Stop that knee from jerking Jim and transfer the energy to your brain.
     -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas     
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    "Just because you do not take an interest in majority rule doesn't mean majority rule won't take an interest in you." Forget about your rights, Jim, because according to Waffler somehow if more people vote to rob you than you can get people to vote to defend you, you can be 'legally' robbed. This is the world according to Waffler. Rather than throw out such an obviously criminal process, Waffler simply suggests that you rally more people to your side and may the 'best man win.' So-called 'Democracy' is merely the illusion of fairness and equality, but its purpose is no less than to seize power at the expense of our natural born rights. It is not a right to take from someone else -- it is in fact criminal.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    The quote has an underlying syllogistic basis as follows: Politics and thus its policy takes an interest in you, You take an interest in you, Thus: it logically follows that you should therefore take an interest in politics and its policies. The fact that ten or so persons contributre to this site is proof that they take an interest in themselves and are trying to take an interest in and influence politics and its policies. Ipso facto!
     -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas     
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    Well said, Archer.
     -- Logan, Memphis, TN     
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    Waffler, you made me smile with your 'you're no Kennedy' spin as well as you know Archer is right on this one.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    At least in a democracy you actually have a say. The result is that you might actually be interested and involved. That is not to say that we have a democracy or that it would actually work. We all do need to be involved though. We can't surrender our rights, or be so disillusioned that we sit back and allow those in office to do whatever they want. Make your voice heard, and never let them forget that they work for us. Contact your senator and congressman and tell them what you want. If you don't, then don't complain.
     -- Ken, Milford Pa     
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    A lot of people commenting on this are assuming that politics means democracy. This quote has nothing to do with democracy. Politics can exist in any social organization be it democracy, republic, socialism, communism, dictatorship, etc. Politics has to do with your interests and forming associations to promote your them. So what Pericles is saying is that if you don't get involved in politics (e.g. vote, or form groups to promote your interests, etc) you are going to be overrun by those that do worry about their interests, if they happen to be opposite yours.
     -- aldo, morgan hill, ca     
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    so is the idea here to take a famous quote and somehow use it to support your views whether it is relevant or not? All Pericles is saying is that trying to ignore politics does not protect you from it's impact. He does not mention socialism, democracy, fascism or any particular system.
     -- Douglas, Berkley, MI     
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    O By the way the Franklin quote is some bloggers fantasy, It is widely distributed on the Internet but appears nowhere in Ben Franklin's writings.The earliest definite citations for such a statement credit libertarian author James Bovard with a similar one in the Sacramento Bee (1994): "Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner." This statement also definitely occurs in the "Conclusion" (p. 333) of his book Lost Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty (1994)
     -- Douglas, Berkley, MI     
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     -- Geodät, Erfurt      
    taxes taxes and more taxes to support the poor that have been bred here and are pouring in here as well as the generation now that thinks money from mom and dad is a right
     -- David C, Alameda, CA     
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    I love how the socialist liberals try to twist our form of government into something "criminal" in order to promote something truly criminal to replace it. We are not a democracy, we are a Republic; which means the Law rules. Democracy is only how we elect those to represent us in making those laws. Unfortunately, between the liberals, the elitists, and the corruption, America is hard pressed to find an ounce of morality in its leaders. A sad irony since this country was founded on morals; which is what made it great in the first place. Departure from them is what is bringing this country down. And the problem with liberals (communists) and all their socialist programs is that they'll eventually run out of other people's money to spend; then we'll all be poor and have nowhere to turn. Instead of howling at the "rich" to pay "their fare share" we should be kicking the behinds of the "poor" to DO their fair share. I'm not rich, but I work hard for my money; so should everyone else.
     -- Dan, Newport, RI     
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     -- Al, Sheboygan      
     
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