Access to education Quote by Tom Harkin
“It's been years, but I still say that I went out with the same progressive values and liberal ideals that I went in with. I made a couple of mistakes, I will honestly admit. In retrospect, there are a few votes I wish I could take back. But, through it all, I kept my support for organized labor, I kept my support for income equality, I kept my support for making sure that kids that come from poor families have access to education. So, yes, I still believe that you don't have to give up your ideals and go along. One person can still stand up and make a difference.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Congressional Testimony, 1995
The speaker affirms steadfast progressive values despite mistakes, emphasizing continued support for labor, equality, and education.
In simple terms: I still hold my progressive ideals despite errors.
Stay true to core principles while learning from errors.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- voting
- community organizing
- policy advocacy
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions keep your values alive?
- How do you reconcile past mistakes with current goals?
Idealism may clash with political compromise; change is incremental.