Citizen Power, by Mike Gravel: on Principles & Values

Citizen Power: democracy requires participation

There can be no democracy unless it is a dynamic democracy. When our people cease to participate then all of us will wither in the darkness of decadence.
-- Saul Alinsky

"Why not?"

"Because you're talking about something that doesn't exist. There's no such thing as 'citizen power.' Not for people like us." The black youth regarded me with open skepticism, challenging me to prove him wrong. The others nodded their agreement.

Sitting in Harlem in the middle of neglected America, I could readily understand why the idea of "citizen power" was greeted with contempt. What did that mean to these alienated young men & women?

"Wouldn't you like to change that?" I asked. "Be a PART of the government instead of just under it?"

"Sure. But how?"

"You get together and make up a program--that's all a people's platform is--and then you present it to all the candidates. You tell them that they either support IT or you won't support THEM."