--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This idea that once you get into…" description: "\"This idea that once you get into politics... you are now signed up for lifelong duty being in elective office, makes a fundamental error - and that is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e5/matt-gonzalez-20749_being_this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politic_29639.png" --- # This idea that once you get into politics... you are now… ![“This idea that once you get into politics... you are now signed up for lifelong duty being in elective office, makes a fundamental error - and that is believing that the only way you can hold progressive views and implement them is in elective office.” quote by Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e5/matt-gonzalez-20749_being_this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politic_29639.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e5/matt-gonzalez-20749_being_this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politic_29639.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e5/matt-gonzalez-20749_being_this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politic_29639.png) > “This idea that once you get into politics... you are now signed up for lifelong duty being in elective office, makes a fundamental error - and that is believing that the only way you can hold progressive views and implement them is in elective office.” [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote challenges the belief that political change requires holding elected office, arguing that activism and influence can occur outside formal positions. **In simple terms:** Political impact isn’t limited to office holders. Key Takeaway Progressive change can be pursued without election. Themes political activism civic engagement democratic participation institutional critique social change Mood determined critical hopeful Type political commentary call to action When to use this quote - running for office - joining a political party - volunteering for campaigns - advocating policy - engaging in civic education Key Concepts grassroots organizing policy advocacy public discourse community leadership Practical Applications - building community movements - influencing legislation through lobbying Questions to Reflect On - How can individuals effect change without holding office? - What structures enable non-elected actors to shape policy? A Different Perspective While elected officials have legislative power, they also face constraints that can limit radical reforms, making external pressure essential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Elective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elective/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [I didn't set out with the notion of running for elective office; it sort of grew over time. And I honestly at times questioned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-de-blasio/i-didn-t-set-out-with-the-notion-of-running-for-elective-office-it/) [Bill de Blasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-de-blasio/) > [Elective office is one of many ways to serve the community and the country. It's one that I would consider at some point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/elective-office-is-one-of-many-ways-to-serve-the-community-and-the/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [I don't see myself in any way in elective office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-don-t-see-myself-in-any-way-in-elective-office/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [It's hard to have both parents involved in elective office at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/it-s-hard-to-have-both-parents-involved-in-elective-office-at-the/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [Elective office and public service are obviously something that have long ties with my family, and something I'm definitely interested in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/elective-office-and-public-service-are-obviously-something-that-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The traditional path to making a name for yourself in our family is running for elective office, and I couldn't do that because, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-bush-koch/the-traditional-path-to-making-a-name-for-yourself-in-our-family-is/) [Dorothy Bush Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-bush-koch/) > [It is a travesty for anyone who is elected to office, who serves in an elective office, to engage in voter suppression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/it-is-a-travesty-for-anyone-who-is-elected-to-office-who-serves-in-an/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [“includes an instant and lifelong duty to love God with every power of mind and soul, to obey Him perfectly,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-w-tozer/includes-an-instant-and-lifelong-duty-to-love-god-with-every-power-of/) [A.W. Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-w-tozer/) > [The Labour Party is the sister Party for the Democrats and their progressive views are the ones that we are most aligned with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-harman/the-labour-party-is-the-sister-party-for-the-democrats-and-their/) [Harriet Harman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-harman/) > [Many times, politicians focus on this idea of how politics should be but not necessarily on the outcome. That ends up hurting people that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-gallego/many-times-politicians-focus-on-this-idea-of-how-politics-should-be/) [Ruben Gallego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-gallego/) > [I really rebel against this idea that politics has to be a place full of ego and where you're constantly focused on scoring hits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacinda-ardern/i-really-rebel-against-this-idea-that-politics-has-to-be-a-place-full/) [Jacinda Ardern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacinda-ardern/) > [It will help erase the idea that politics is a second-rate profession and a dirty business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-will-help-erase-the-idea-that-politics-is-a-second-rate-profession/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I like to talk about lint and coasters, the expansion of the universe and maybe McDonald's. I'm completely turned off by the idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-like-to-talk-about-lint-and-coasters-the-expansion-of-the-universe/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I knew I would work in a community that I would like to live in, but I had no idea that I would ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aja-brown/i-knew-i-would-work-in-a-community-that-i-would-like-to-live-in-but-i/) [Aja Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aja-brown/) > [Not everybody is comfortable with the idea that politics is a guilty addiction. But it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/not-everybody-is-comfortable-with-the-idea-that-politics-is-a-guilty/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## More by Matt Gonzalez > [When in some communities selling drugs is so lucrative that that's a pretty big enticement that we have to break down. Part of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/when-in-some-communities-selling-drugs-is-so-lucrative-that-that-s-a/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [You don't have to be wealthy to run for mayor. I'm a Green Party candidate running for mayor and I'm being taken seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/you-don-t-have-to-be-wealthy-to-run-for-mayor-i-m-a-green-party/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [At some point the rhetoric runs out, and we have to ask ourselves, 'Are we simply going to standby while somebody's rhetoric is good,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/at-some-point-the-rhetoric-runs-out-and-we-have-to-ask-ourselves-are/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [If you engage people honestly, and you're willing to do the leg work, people will respond to that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/if-you-engage-people-honestly-and-you-re-willing-to-do-the-leg-work/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [I really am disappointed when I run into people who are angry I'm leaving office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/i-really-am-disappointed-when-i-run-into-people-who-are-angry-i-m/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [I don't have to be in politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/i-don-t-have-to-be-in-politics/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [As a young boy I won a few dollars in 1972 when Riva Ridge won the Kentucky Derby. I had overheard someone say he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/as-a-young-boy-i-won-a-few-dollars-in-1972-when-riva-ridge-won-the/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [I represented many of these kids as they become young adults in the criminal justice system when I was a public defender. One way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/i-represented-many-of-these-kids-as-they-become-young-adults-in-the/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [I think a lot of politicians, rightfully so, understand that their political futures are tied to how many times people see their names in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/i-think-a-lot-of-politicians-rightfully-so-understand-that-their/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [I had tried painting, mostly to give myself a greater appreciation of the craft and to inform how I looked at paintings. That led…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/i-had-tried-painting-mostly-to-give-myself-a-greater-appreciation-of/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [There is a preliminary belief that Tuolumne River water could be captured by other reservoirs that are downstream from Hetch Hetchy, the Cherry and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/there-is-a-preliminary-belief-that-tuolumne-river-water-could-be/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [I don't think the schools are getting as much money as they should.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/i-don-t-think-the-schools-are-getting-as-much-money-as-they-should/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [Chard and kale are my favorite these days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/chard-and-kale-are-my-favorite-these-days/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [When you have a democratically elected president of Iran you don't topple him for the Shah. You don't help topple Arbenz in Guatemala. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/when-you-have-a-democratically-elected-president-of-iran-you-don-t/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [This notion that we're going to prop up foreign governments, that we're going to invade other countries for some kind of perceived benefit where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/this-notion-that-we-re-going-to-prop-up-foreign-governments-that-we/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) [Explore all 30 Matt Gonzalez quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [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/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This idea that once you get into politics... you are now signed up for lifelong duty being in elective office, makes a fundamental error - and that is believing that the only way you can hold progressive views and implement them is in elective office.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Matt Gonzalez" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politics-you-are-now-signed-up-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politics-you-are-now-signed-up-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e5/matt-gonzalez-20749_being_this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politic_29639.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e5/matt-gonzalez-20749_being_this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politic_29639.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e5/matt-gonzalez-20749_being_this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politic_29639.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This idea that once you get into politics... you are now signed up for lifelong duty being in elective…” — Matt Gonzalez", "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": "Matt Gonzalez", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "This idea that once you get...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politics-you-are-now-signed-up-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politics-you-are-now-signed-up-for/#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 } } ] } ```