--- title: "1 Democracy Breaks Quotes By Obama" description: "1 Democracy Breaks quotes by Obama. Plus more from Obama and more Democracy Breaks sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/obama-60627_democracy_when-we-don-t-pay-close-attention-to-the_459838.jpg" --- > [“When we don’t pay close attention to the decisions made by our leaders, when we fail to educate ourselves about the major issues of the day, when we choose not to make our voices and opinions heard, that’s when democracy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/obama/when-we-don-t-pay-close-attention-to-the-decisions-made-by-our/) [Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/obama/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/obama-60627_democracy_when-we-don-t-pay-close-attention-to-the_459838.jpg) ## More by Obama > [“Whether out of inertia or selfishness, whether out of fear or a simple lack of moral imagination, we so often spend our lives as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/obama/whether-out-of-inertia-or-selfishness-whether-out-of-fear-or-a-simple/) [Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/obama/) > [I worth zero dollar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/obama/i-worth-zero-dollar/) [Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/obama/) > [“And as John F. Kennedy described the ideals behind what would become the Peace Corps, he issued a challenge to the students who had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/obama/and-as-john-f-kennedy-described-the-ideals-behind-what-would-become/) [Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/obama/) > [“When we don’t pay close attention to the decisions made by our leaders, when we fail to educate ourselves about the major issues of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/obama/when-we-don-t-pay-close-attention-to-the-decisions-made-by-our/) [Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/obama/) > [“This democracy we have is a precious thing. For all the arguments and all the doubts and all the cynicism that’s out there today,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/obama/this-democracy-we-have-is-a-precious-thing-for-all-the-arguments-and/) [Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/obama/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-breaks/obama/#itemlist", "name": "1 Democracy Breaks Quotes By Obama", "numberOfItems": 1, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When we don’t pay close attention to the decisions made by our leaders, when we fail to educate ourselves about the major issues of the day, when we choose not to make our voices and opinions heard, that’s when democracy breaks down. That’s when power is abused. That’s when the most extreme voices in our society fill the void that we leave. That’s when powerful interests and their lobbyists are most able to buy access and influence in the corridors of power –- because none of us are there to speak up and stop them. Participation in public life doesn’t mean that you all have to run for public office -– though we could certainly use some fresh faces in Washington. (Laughter and applause.) But it does mean that you should pay attention and contribute in any way that you can. Stay informed. Write letters, or make phone calls on behalf of an issue you care about. If electoral politics isn’t your thing, continue the tradition so many of you started here at Michigan and find a way to serve your community and your country –- an act that will help you stay connected to your fellow citizens and improve the lives of those around you.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Obama" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/obama/when-we-don-t-pay-close-attention-to-the-decisions-made-by-our/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/obama-60627_democracy_when-we-don-t-pay-close-attention-to-the_459838.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/obama-60627_democracy_when-we-don-t-pay-close-attention-to-the_459838.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/obama-60627_democracy_when-we-don-t-pay-close-attention-to-the_459838.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When we don’t pay close attention to the decisions made by our leaders, when we fail to educate ourselves…” — Obama", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-breaks/obama/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-breaks/obama/", "name": "Democracy Breaks Quotes by Obama", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-breaks/obama/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/obama-60627_democracy_when-we-don-t-pay-close-attention-to-the_459838.jpg" }, "description": "1 Democracy Breaks quotes by Obama. 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