When too many Americans don't vote or participate, some see apathy and despair. I see disappointment and even outrage. And I believe that out of this frustration can come hope and action.
Politics is not about money.
The first task in teaching is to bring to consciousness what the students already believe by virtue of their personal experiences about themselves and society.
Politics is not about winning for the sake of winning.
I emphasize self-esteem, self-confidence, and dignity, not as an ideal, but as a real test of community organization. Without leadership development, community organizations do not have staying power.
I saw as a teacher how, if you take that spark of learning that those children have, and you ignite it, you can take a child from any background to a lifetime of creativity and accomplishment.
The people of this country, not special interest big money, should be the source of all political power.
The American polity is infected with a serious imbalance of power between elites and masses, a power which is the principal threat to our democracy.