--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My journey to public service began the…" description: "\"My journey to public service began the morning after the 2016 election, when I faced the reality that democracy requires participation - not observatio..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/dean-phillips-5902_democracy_my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-m_457143.jpg" --- # My journey to public service began the morning after the… ![“My journey to public service began the morning after the 2016 election, when I faced the reality that democracy requires participation - not observation.” quote by Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/dean-phillips-5902_democracy_my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-m_457143.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/dean-phillips-5902_democracy_my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-m_457143.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/dean-phillips-5902_democracy_my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-m_457143.jpg) > “My journey to public service began the morning after the 2016 election, when I faced the reality that democracy requires participation - not observation.” [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Calls to active civic engagement, emphasizing that democracy thrives on participation, not passive observation. **In simple terms:** Democracy needs active citizens. Key Takeaway Participate in democracy. Themes civic duty participation politics Mood inspirational determined Type motivational political When to use this quote - voting - community organizing - public forums - policy advocacy Key Concepts democratic theory citizen empowerment Questions to Reflect On - What can you do today to support democracy? - How does participation change outcomes? A Different Perspective People may feel powerless to act. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Public service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-service/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) ## Related quotes > [But, you know, I'm sorry, I think democracy requires participation. I mean, I don't want to proselytize but I do feel some sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cusack/but-you-know-i-m-sorry-i-think-democracy-requires-participation-i/) [John Cusack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cusack/) > [Full democracy requires the full participation of women. Your voices are vital. The word 'vital' means necessary for life. A democracy, to be fully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swanee-hunt/full-democracy-requires-the-full-participation-of-women-your-voices/) [Swanee Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swanee-hunt/) > [“i don't pay attention to the world ending. it has ended for me many times and began again in the morning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nayyirah-waheed/i-don-t-pay-attention-to-the-world-ending-it-has-ended-for-me-many/) [Nayyirah Waheed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nayyirah-waheed/) > [“It was an idea that made the crucial difference between British and Iberian America – an idea about the way people should govern themselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niall-ferguson/it-was-an-idea-that-made-the-crucial-difference-between-british-and/) [Niall Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niall-ferguson/) > [The practice of architecture not only requires participation in the profession but it also requires civic engagement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel/the-practice-of-architecture-not-only-requires-participation-in-the/) [Samuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel/) > [Investing for the poor requires participation from the entire community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/investing-for-the-poor-requires-participation-from-the-entire/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Filmmaking requires the participation and cooperation of many people. It's unrealistic to expect that you're not going to be challenged by unforeseeable forces from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bennett-miller/filmmaking-requires-the-participation-and-cooperation-of-many-people/) [Bennett Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bennett-miller/) > [If Despotism failed only for want of a capable benevolent despot, what chance has Democracy, which requires a whole population of capable voters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/if-despotism-failed-only-for-want-of-a-capable-benevolent-despot-what/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [“a democracy requires open access to ideas. It requires a willingness to struggle and learn, to question our own suppositions and biases, to open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/a-democracy-requires-open-access-to-ideas-it-requires-a-willingness/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [Democracy requires that if you who don't like the outcome of elections you have to tolerate it and then pursue your interest the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-robinson/democracy-requires-that-if-you-who-don-t-like-the-outcome-of/) [Randall Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-robinson/) > [Democracy not only requires equality but also an unshakable conviction in the value of each person, who is then equal. Cross cultural experience teaches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeane-kirkpatrick/democracy-not-only-requires-equality-but-also-an-unshakable/) [Jeane Kirkpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeane-kirkpatrick/) > [The spirit of democracy... requires change of the heart... requires the inculcation of the spirit of brotherhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/the-spirit-of-democracy-requires-change-of-the-heart-requires-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [At the dawn of his administration, President Obama opined: 'A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency.' Magical rays of white-hot sunlight emanated from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-malkin/at-the-dawn-of-his-administration-president-obama-opined-a-democracy/) [Michelle Malkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-malkin/) > [Civil disobedience is not something outside the realm of democracy. Democracy requires civil disobedience. Without civil disobedience democracy does not exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/civil-disobedience-is-not-something-outside-the-realm-of-democracy/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [Democracy not only requires equality but also an unshakable conviction in the value of each person, who is then equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeane-kirkpatrick/democracy-not-only-requires-equality-but-also-an-unshakable-2/) [Jeane Kirkpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeane-kirkpatrick/) ## More by Dean Phillips > [Ranked Choice Voting is simple, empowers voters, and rewards candidates who broaden support beyond their base.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/ranked-choice-voting-is-simple-empowers-voters-and-rewards-candidates/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [Trust is earned, and as long as special interests can continue to buy influence with PAC money we're going to continue losing the faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/trust-is-earned-and-as-long-as-special-interests-can-continue-to-buy/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [I have spent my career helping to build and grow businesses, and if I've learned one thing, it's that being pro-business and pro-consumer are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/i-have-spent-my-career-helping-to-build-and-grow-businesses-and-if-i/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [In Minnesota, we have already enshrined the protections included in the Equality Act, and it has made our state stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/in-minnesota-we-have-already-enshrined-the-protections-included-in/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [Same day voter registration is just common sense and a proven way to increase voter participation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/same-day-voter-registration-is-just-common-sense-and-a-proven-way-to/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [As Minnesotans, we value education and preparing the next generation for success in their careers and their lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/as-minnesotans-we-value-education-and-preparing-the-next-generation/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [The only people who should suffer financial hardship when elected leaders can't govern are the elected leaders themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/the-only-people-who-should-suffer-financial-hardship-when-elected/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [It's quite clear that if America hopes to realize the great possibilities of its remarkable mosaic, we all must invest more time talking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/it-s-quite-clear-that-if-america-hopes-to-realize-the-great/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [This is not a partisan issue. In fact, the vast majority of Democrats, independents and Republicans support universal background checks on gun sales.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/this-is-not-a-partisan-issue-in-fact-the-vast-majority-of-democrats/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [In order to preserve our democracy we must come together to end the corrupting influence of money in politics - and we cannot do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/in-order-to-preserve-our-democracy-we-must-come-together-to-end-the/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [I have the great honor of representing Minnesota's Third Congressional District, which includes the western Twin Cities metro area and is home to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/i-have-the-great-honor-of-representing-minnesota-s-third/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [The American people are expecting us to put party politics aside and get things done - and not doing so is a dereliction of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/the-american-people-are-expecting-us-to-put-party-politics-aside-and/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [No party has a monopoly on solutions, and we must stop fighting one another and begin fighting for one another - before it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/no-party-has-a-monopoly-on-solutions-and-we-must-stop-fighting-one/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [Climate change is an urgent problem and we need to reach a solution as quickly as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/climate-change-is-an-urgent-problem-and-we-need-to-reach-a-solution/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [I made a promise to the people of Minnesota's Third District that I would work to end dysfunction in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/i-made-a-promise-to-the-people-of-minnesota-s-third-district-that-i/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) [Explore all 100 Dean Phillips quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 11,220 Democracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My journey to public service began the morning after the 2016 election, when I faced the reality that democracy requires participation - not observation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dean Phillips" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-morning-after-the-2016/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Democracy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-morning-after-the-2016/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/dean-phillips-5902_democracy_my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-m_457143.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/dean-phillips-5902_democracy_my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-m_457143.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da2/dean-phillips-5902_democracy_my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-m_457143.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My journey to public service began the morning after the 2016 election, when I faced the reality that…” — Dean Phillips", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dean Phillips", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My journey to public service began...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-morning-after-the-2016/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/my-journey-to-public-service-began-the-morning-after-the-2016/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```