Quotes

(On government) "It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way.”

-Thoreau

I found this quote to be really insightful. As a country, I think the emphasis sometimes is placed on government having the power or being the source for action. All that is made today, is due to the people and their ideals, while the government is simply an instrument. It can be hard to remember the importance of the individuals themselves that make up America. Thoreau reminds us to be proactive, as people are the source for the achievements. I found this interesting because the government was built off the people. First came the people, then a government was formed later. This correlates to the way we have been studying this Amcon course this semester. First, we learned about the founding peoples in America, while this semester the emphasis has now been placed on the government democracy.   

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

-Lincoln

Again, Lincoln places emphasis on the people involved with making us the nation we are today. Their actions are the reason America is the country we know today. They are what make the government, democracy, function. It is up to the citizens to maintain this government. It is hard to recognize the individual actions some times, but those are the makers of our democracy. Government is more the tool for change to be made with, but action comes from people. Democracy requires active, attentive citizens.