Although I held public office for a total of sixteen…
“Although I held public office for a total of sixteen years, I also thought of myself as a citizen-politician, not a career one. Every now and then when I was in government, I would remind my associates that "When we start thinking of government as 'us' instead of 'them,' we've been here too long." By that I mean that elected officeholders need to retain a certain skepticism about the perfectibility of government.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A citizen‑politician sees government as a shared responsibility, not an adversary, fostering humility and healthy skepticism.
In simple terms: Treat government as a shared task, not an enemy.
Key Takeaway
Remember the public purpose of office.
Themes
government
citizenship
humility
Mood
thoughtful
hopeful
Type
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community organizing
- legislative work
Key Concepts
political theory
public service
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance skepticism with constructive action?
- What does “us” mean in modern politics?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on skepticism can paralyze reform.