---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When someone who wields political power…"
description: "\"When someone who wields political power does something you dislike or disagree with, it's incumbent upon you to object, criticize, and demand a differe..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/glenn-greenwald-1215_citizenship_when-someone-who-wields-political-power_1904509.jpg"
---

#  When someone who wields political power does something you…

![“When someone who wields political power does something you dislike or disagree with, it's incumbent upon you to object, criticize, and demand a different course. Those who refuse to do so are abdicating the most basic duty of citizenship and rendering themselves impotent.” quote by Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/glenn-greenwald-1215_citizenship_when-someone-who-wields-political-power_1904509.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/glenn-greenwald-1215_citizenship_when-someone-who-wields-political-power_1904509.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/571/glenn-greenwald-1215_citizenship_when-someone-who-wields-political-power_1904509.jpg)

> “When someone who wields political power does something you dislike or disagree with, it's incumbent upon you to object, criticize, and demand a different course. Those who refuse to do so are abdicating the most basic duty of citizenship and rendering themselves impotent.”

[Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Citizens must actively oppose political actions they disagree with; silence equates to abdication of duty.

**In simple terms:** Speak up against bad politics.

Key Takeaway

Engage in civic dissent.

Themes

civic duty political activism responsibility

Mood

urgent defiant

Type

political activist

When to use this quote

- voting
- protests
- public commentary
- community meetings

Key Concepts

democracy accountability public discourse

Questions to Reflect On

- What issues compel you to speak out?
- How can you safely voice dissent?

A Different Perspective

Risk of backlash or personal cost.

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