--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The status quo helps liberals. We're…" description: "\"The status quo helps liberals. We're going to change the country.\" — Howard Dean" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/howard-dean-3196_country_the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-goin_2471378.jpg" --- # The status quo helps liberals. We're going to change the… ![“The status quo helps liberals. We're going to change the country.” quote by Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/howard-dean-3196_country_the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-goin_2471378.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/howard-dean-3196_country_the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-goin_2471378.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/howard-dean-3196_country_the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-goin_2471378.jpg) > “The status quo helps liberals. We're going to change the country.” [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The claim that the status quo benefits liberals is a rhetorical device to motivate political change, implying urgency for reform. **In simple terms:** Status quo benefits liberals, prompting change. Key Takeaway Engage in civic actions to challenge existing policies. Themes politics change status quo liberalism urgency Mood determined critical energetic Type political motivational When to use this quote - voting - community organizing - policy advocacy - public debate Key Concepts political theory social dynamics activism Questions to Reflect On - What reforms are most urgent today? - How can citizens effectively challenge the status quo? A Different Perspective Changing entrenched systems often faces strong resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Liberals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberals/) [Status quo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/status-quo/) ## Related quotes > [Everyone on the Left has a favorite story that allows them to kind of excuse Reagan, explain away Reagan, say he was dumb, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perlstein/everyone-on-the-left-has-a-favorite-story-that-allows-them-to-kind-of/) [Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perlstein/) > [I think the liberals are going to try to blame - and they already are - this entire mess on the right and on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-tantaros/i-think-the-liberals-are-going-to-try-to-blame-and-they-already-are/) [Andrea Tantaros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-tantaros/) > [You liberals are going to have to understand something: I'm not the one that wants to put limits on anybody. You people are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/you-liberals-are-going-to-have-to-understand-something-i-m-not-the/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [The test for honest Americans or honest liberals is, are they going to defend a president they disagree with when he's being victimized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fitton/the-test-for-honest-americans-or-honest-liberals-is-are-they-going-to/) [Tom Fitton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fitton/) > [And I have a message for the liberals and the defenders of the status quo: we're just getting started.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/and-i-have-a-message-for-the-liberals-and-the-defenders-of-the-status/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [I'm not attacking liberals with a broad brush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-m-not-attacking-liberals-with-a-broad-brush/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [Im not going to change myself just to fit in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james/im-not-going-to-change-myself-just-to-fit-in/) [James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james/) > [If Egypt were going to change, it is going to change through the young people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/if-egypt-were-going-to-change-it-is-going-to-change-through-the-young/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [You cannot change the things, so you don't need to stress if you're going to change them. So why complain? It looks so simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrey-rublev/you-cannot-change-the-things-so-you-don-t-need-to-stress-if-you-re/) [Andrey Rublev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrey-rublev/) > [Well, you know what, I was who I am and I'm not going to change that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-bradley/well-you-know-what-i-was-who-i-am-and-i-m-not-going-to-change-that/) [Shawn Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-bradley/) > [That's what I do, I go hard and that's never going to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hinchcliffe/that-s-what-i-do-i-go-hard-and-that-s-never-going-to-change/) [Tony Hinchcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hinchcliffe/) > [I've gone from wearing jeans and cowboy boots to wearing miniskirts and gold tassels and high heels. I'm sure I'm not going to dress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-potter/i-ve-gone-from-wearing-jeans-and-cowboy-boots-to-wearing-miniskirts/) [Grace Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-potter/) > [I haven't been to too many cons since Star Wars, and I don't think it's really going to change until it comes out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-tudyk/i-haven-t-been-to-too-many-cons-since-star-wars-and-i-don-t-think-it/) [Alan Tudyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-tudyk/) > [I love wrestling. That's not going to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hardy/i-love-wrestling-that-s-not-going-to-change/) [Matt Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hardy/) > [I'm not going to change me just for some extra money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-holloway/i-m-not-going-to-change-me-just-for-some-extra-money/) [Max Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-holloway/) ## More by Howard Dean > [This country was the moral leader of the world until George Bush became president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/this-country-was-the-moral-leader-of-the-world-until-george-bush/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [I think in general the ends do not justify the means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-think-in-general-the-ends-do-not-justify-the-means/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [The way we're going to win elections in this country is not to become Republican lite. The way we're going to win elections in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-way-we-re-going-to-win-elections-in-this-country-is-not-to-become/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [As governor, I came to believe that the death penalty would be a just punishment for certain, especially heinous crimes, such as the murder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/as-governor-i-came-to-believe-that-the-death-penalty-would-be-a-just/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [Look, I'm not a perfect person. I have my warts. I sometimes say things that get me in trouble. I wear suits that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/look-i-m-not-a-perfect-person-i-have-my-warts-i-sometimes-say-things/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [The issue is not abortion. The issue is whether women can make up their own mind instead of some right-wing pastor, some right-wing politician…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-issue-is-not-abortion-the-issue-is-whether-women-can-make-up/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [We have to say what we believe... whether it's popular or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/we-have-to-say-what-we-believe-whether-it-s-popular-or-not/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [When you - when you - and this is still going on today - are making your money by pushing paper around, when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/when-you-when-you-and-this-is-still-going-on-today-are-making-your/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-hate-the-republicans-and-everything-they-stand-for/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [There's no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat to the United States and to our allies. If Saddam persists in thumbing his nose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/there-s-no-question-that-saddam-hussein-is-a-threat-to-the-united/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [The truth is the President of the United States used the same device that Slobodan Milosevic used in Serbia. When you appeal to homophobia,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-truth-is-the-president-of-the-united-states-used-the-same-device/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [There's been more than one time when I've said something, and sort of the middle of what I've said is not said but thought,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/there-s-been-more-than-one-time-when-i-ve-said-something-and-sort-of/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [I don't care what you label me as long as you call me president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-don-t-care-what-you-label-me-as-long-as-you-call-me-president/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [Donald Trump has used lawsuits as a weapon throughout his entire business career, and whether they're frivolous or not has nothing to do with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/donald-trump-has-used-lawsuits-as-a-weapon-throughout-his-entire/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [What I want to know is why in the world the Democratic party leadership is supporting the president's unilateral attack on Iraq?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/what-i-want-to-know-is-why-in-the-world-the-democratic-party/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) [Explore all 137 Howard Dean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) ## More Country quotes > [I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/i-love-playing-for-my-country-getting-the-support-especially-for-the/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [ That country \[Carthage\] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinking-into-the-state-of-barbarism/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [For the Scottish government, the practice of having meetings in different parts of the country is well established, but for the U.K. government, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/for-the-scottish-government-the-practice-of-having-meetings-in/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [There's no reason someone who has fought for their country should be homeless of jobless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/there-s-no-reason-someone-who-has-fought-for-their-country-should-be/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [It's very nice to be a rebel saying, 'I stand on my principles,' but if in fact that's not going to have any impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-grieve/it-s-very-nice-to-be-a-rebel-saying-i-stand-on-my-principles-but-if/) [Dominic Grieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-grieve/) > [Most paper money initially existed as a substitute for gold. That's what gave it value. But right now what gives a currency value is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/most-paper-money-initially-existed-as-a-substitute-for-gold-that-s/) [Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/) > [That's what this country is. It's made up of immigrants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bria-vinaite/that-s-what-this-country-is-it-s-made-up-of-immigrants/) [Bria Vinaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bria-vinaite/) > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [The reason I was drawn to the Band Perry was because they have a knack for doing rollicking country music that can sound a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-robinson/the-reason-i-was-drawn-to-the-band-perry-was-because-they-have-a/) [Phoebe Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-robinson/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > ['Lovecraft Country' is reclaiming all these pulp genres for people of color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misha-green/lovecraft-country-is-reclaiming-all-these-pulp-genres-for-people-of/) [Misha Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misha-green/) > [No judge can stop us from praying for our country and I pray that on May 6, millions of Americans will join me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/no-judge-can-stop-us-from-praying-for-our-country-and-i-pray-that-on/) [Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/) [Browse all 29,881 Country quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The status quo helps liberals. We're going to change the country.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Howard Dean" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-going-to-change-the-country/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Country" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-going-to-change-the-country/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/howard-dean-3196_country_the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-goin_2471378.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/howard-dean-3196_country_the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-goin_2471378.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98e/howard-dean-3196_country_the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-goin_2471378.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The status quo helps liberals. We're going to change the country.” — Howard Dean", "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": "Howard Dean", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The status quo helps liberals. We're...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-going-to-change-the-country/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-status-quo-helps-liberals-we-re-going-to-change-the-country/#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 } } ] } ```