Paul Wellstone
(1944-2002)

American Politician, Social Change Advocate

birthdate: July 21
birthplace:
Arlington, Virginia

QUOTES

Politics is about the improvement of people's lives. It's about advancing the cause of peace and justice in our country and the world. Politics is about doing well for the people.

“Politics isn't about big money or power games; it's about the improvement of people's lives”

“A politics that is not sensitive to the concerns and circumstances of people's lives, a politics that does not speak to and include people, is an intellectually arrogant politics that deserves to fail.”

The people of this country, not special interest big money, should be the source of all political power.”

“There are three critical ingredients to democratic renewal and progressive change in America: good public policy, grassroots organizing and electoral politics.”

Never separate the life you live from the words you speak.”

“I think this is really a good example of the commercial calculus and ties taking precedence over everything else. It's sort of like the almighty dollar is triumphing over a lot of other values that we have as a nation.”

Above and beyond the question of how to grow the economy there is a legitimate concern about how to grow the quality of our lives.

As free citizens in a political democracy, we have a responsibility to be interested and involved in the affairs of the human community, be it at the local or the global level.

Education and democracy have the same goal: the fullest possible development of human capabilities.

I don't think politics has anything to do with left, right, or center. It has to do with trying to do right by people.

If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them.

Our politics are our deepest form of expression: they mirror our past experiences and reflect our dreams and aspirations for the future.

Sometimes, the only realists are the dreamers.

Successful organizing is based on the recognition that people get organized because they, too, have a vision.

The kind of national goal we ought to be thinking about is way beyond national product - it is how do we as a nation help our children be the best kinds of people they could possibly be?

We can remake the world daily.

What makes community organizing especially attractive is the faith it places in the ability of the poor to make decisions for themselves.

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.

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