---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In order to maintain American democracy…"
description: "\"In order to maintain American democracy we need to tackle the problematic influence of big money donors, corporate political action committees and dark..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/john-fetterman-6257_action_in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy_961362.jpg"
---

#  In order to maintain American democracy we need to tackle…

![“In order to maintain American democracy we need to tackle the problematic influence of big money donors, corporate political action committees and dark money contributions. We must put an end to partisan gerrymandering and the blatant attempts at voter suppression being pushed in Republican-led…” quote by John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/john-fetterman-6257_action_in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy_961362.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/john-fetterman-6257_action_in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy_961362.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/john-fetterman-6257_action_in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy_961362.jpg)

> “In order to maintain American democracy we need to tackle the problematic influence of big money donors, corporate political action committees and dark money contributions. We must put an end to partisan gerrymandering and the blatant attempts at voter suppression being pushed in Republican-led states across the country.”

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

## About This Quote

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

Democracy requires limiting wealthy donors, ending gerrymandering, and preventing voter suppression to ensure fair representation.

**In simple terms:** Fair elections need money limits and unbiased districts.

Key Takeaway

Advocate for campaign finance reform and voting rights protections.

Themes

democracy political reform fair elections citizen rights transparency

Mood

concerned determined urgent

Type

political activist call to action

When to use this quote

- voting rights advocacy
- policy drafting
- public awareness campaigns
- grassroots organizing
- legal challenges

Key Concepts

campaign finance gerrymandering voter suppression political power institutional integrity

Questions to Reflect On

- How can citizens effectively pressure legislators for change?
- What safeguards can prevent new forms of influence?

A Different Perspective

Reforms face strong opposition from entrenched interests and partisan politics.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [American democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-democracy/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Voter suppression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voter-suppression/)

## Related quotes

> [Not just for the U.S. Senate but it also means for school board and city council. We need to revitalize American democracy. We need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/not-just-for-the-u-s-senate-but-it-also-means-for-school-board-and/)

[Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/)

> [Demanding an end to partisan bickering on foreign policy is not an unrealistic requirement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-hoekstra/demanding-an-end-to-partisan-bickering-on-foreign-policy-is-not-an/)

[Pete Hoekstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-hoekstra/)

> [Actual threats to American democracy range from voter suppression and unaccountable 'dark money' to explicit efforts to engineer 'minority rule' in Washington and racialized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamelle-bouie/actual-threats-to-american-democracy-range-from-voter-suppression-and/)

[Jamelle Bouie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamelle-bouie/)

> [From partisan gerrymandering and unlimited corporate money flooding our elections to voter suppression legislation, the Republican Party, aligned with Trump, has waged a war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/from-partisan-gerrymandering-and-unlimited-corporate-money-flooding/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [“It's all very well to rail against human rights violations or the absence of democracy, but when there's a need to vaccinate children, supply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-vachon/it-s-all-very-well-to-rail-against-human-rights-violations-or-the/)

[Marc Vachon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-vachon/)

> [“We can provide you democracy. When do you need it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ljupka-cvetanova/we-can-provide-you-democracy-when-do-you-need-it/)

[Ljupka Cvetanova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ljupka-cvetanova/)

> [But at the same time, I think we recognize we can't impose democracy from without, particularly American-style democracy. We need to work with those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-carlucci/but-at-the-same-time-i-think-we-recognize-we-can-t-impose-democracy/)

[Frank Carlucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-carlucci/)

> [Speak up! We live in a democracy. We all need to make sure our voices are heard and our opinions are known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-lipinski/speak-up-we-live-in-a-democracy-we-all-need-to-make-sure-our-voices/)

[Bill Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-lipinski/)

> [There are a lot of problems with democracy. We need to think about how to find the people most qualified for the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-boyle/there-are-a-lot-of-problems-with-democracy-we-need-to-think-about-how/)

[Frankie Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-boyle/)

> [“You know you have a transparency problem when citizens of a democracy need to rely on WikiLeaks for details on changes to laws.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziad-k-abdelnour/you-know-you-have-a-transparency-problem-when-citizens-of-a-democracy/)

[Ziad K. Abdelnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziad-k-abdelnour/)

> [In a democracy, you need to have a strong judicial system. You need freedom of speech, you need art, and you need a free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tzipi-livni/in-a-democracy-you-need-to-have-a-strong-judicial-system-you-need/)

[Tzipi Livni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tzipi-livni/)

> [I think it is important that you have people from all different vanguards, from all different walks of society and different viewpoints to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupe-fiasco/i-think-it-is-important-that-you-have-people-from-all-different/)

[Lupe Fiasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupe-fiasco/)

> [All of the dirty tricks, basically, the Russians employ to tear down liberal democracy, we need to work together on a bipartisan basis, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/all-of-the-dirty-tricks-basically-the-russians-employ-to-tear-down/)

[Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/)

> [Citizens in a democracy need diverse sources of news and information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/citizens-in-a-democracy-need-diverse-sources-of-news-and-information/)

[Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/)

> [We have shown that Islam can rule the world perfectly for 14 centuries, and during this time of Muslim power we did not borrow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakar-bashir/we-have-shown-that-islam-can-rule-the-world-perfectly-for-14/)

[Abu Bakar Bashir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakar-bashir/)

## More by John Fetterman

> [If we turn our backs on the remaining industries and not reinvest in these places and just say 'You're on your own,' we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/if-we-turn-our-backs-on-the-remaining-industries-and-not-reinvest-in/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [I said you could sue a ham sandwich. It's not going to change anything. Well, you can audit a ham sandwich, and it's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/i-said-you-could-sue-a-ham-sandwich-it-s-not-going-to-change-anything/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [We must never stop pushing for equal protection under the law in Pennsylvania and across the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/we-must-never-stop-pushing-for-equal-protection-under-the-law-in/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [We use art to combat the dark side of capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/we-use-art-to-combat-the-dark-side-of-capitalism/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [I have said this before. Donald Trump is very popular in Pennsylvania. We cannot afford to underestimate his popularity in our state. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/i-have-said-this-before-donald-trump-is-very-popular-in-pennsylvania/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [I'm proud that my family and I live across the street from a steel mill and a union hall. This is where my wife…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/i-m-proud-that-my-family-and-i-live-across-the-street-from-a-steel/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [You can't live in a town like Braddock and not know exactly what gunfire sounds like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/you-can-t-live-in-a-town-like-braddock-and-not-know-exactly-what/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [In fact, I've been around guns for most of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/in-fact-i-ve-been-around-guns-for-most-of-my-life/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [I don't mean to look scary, it's just kind of what I have to work with. Maybe that's why my tattoos are literally the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/i-don-t-mean-to-look-scary-it-s-just-kind-of-what-i-have-to-work-with/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [I'm in the camp that says that if you're to the right of South Dakota on anything, you should use that as a moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/i-m-in-the-camp-that-says-that-if-you-re-to-the-right-of-south-dakota/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [I've said to workers that I don't care what you agree with me on politically - I hope it's as many things as possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/i-ve-said-to-workers-that-i-don-t-care-what-you-agree-with-me-on/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [Whether it's leaders from my own town of Braddock or leaders across the state in Bucks County or Adams County, I'm committed to always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/whether-it-s-leaders-from-my-own-town-of-braddock-or-leaders-across/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [If there's ever a boot that comes down to the union way of life or some other kind of arrangement or some kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/if-there-s-ever-a-boot-that-comes-down-to-the-union-way-of-life-or/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [On my left arm, I have the zip code 15104. That's Braddock, Pennsylvania, my home and the community I was honored to serve as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/on-my-left-arm-i-have-the-zip-code-15104-that-s-braddock-pennsylvania/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

> [We can't let ourselves stop believing in Second Chances for everyone. That's why my role on the Board of Pardons is so important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/we-can-t-let-ourselves-stop-believing-in-second-chances-for-everyone/)

[John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

[Explore all 99 John Fetterman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "In order to maintain American democracy we need to tackle the problematic influence of big money donors, corporate political action committees and dark money contributions. We must put an end to partisan gerrymandering and the blatant attempts at voter suppression being pushed in Republican-led states across the country.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Fetterman"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy-we-need-to-tackle-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy-we-need-to-tackle-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/john-fetterman-6257_action_in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy_961362.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/john-fetterman-6257_action_in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy_961362.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/john-fetterman-6257_action_in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy_961362.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In order to maintain American democracy we need to tackle the problematic influence of big money donors…” — John Fetterman",
                "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": "John Fetterman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In order to maintain American democracy...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy-we-need-to-tackle-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/in-order-to-maintain-american-democracy-we-need-to-tackle-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
