The stakes ... are too high for government to be a spectator sport. Barbara Jordan More Quotes by Barbara Jordan More Quotes From Barbara Jordan More is required of public officials than slogans and handshakes and press releases. More is required. We must hold ourselves strictly accountable. We must provide the people with a vision of the future. Barbara Jordan future government inspirational For our immigration policy to make sense, it is necessary to make distinctions between those who obey the law, and those who violate it. Barbara Jordan distinction immigration law How do we create a harmonious society out of so many kinds of people? The key is tolerance -- the one value that is indispensable in creating community. Barbara Jordan equality creating keys I never intended to be a run-of-the-mill person. Barbara Jordan mills persons running Life is too large to hang out a sign: 'For Men Only. Barbara Jordan hanging-out life-is men Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of a national community. It's tough, difficult, not easy. But a spirit of harmony will survive in America only if each of us remembers that we share a common destiny. Barbara Jordan destiny community america We are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change we must. We are willing to suffer the discomfort of change in order to achieve a better future. Barbara Jordan innovation party order I believe that women have a capacity for understanding and compassion which a man structurally does not have, does not have it because he cannot have it. He's just incapable of it. Barbara Jordan women compassion believe Justice of right is always to take precedence over might. Barbara Jordan ubuntu justice peace There is no obstacle in the path of young people who are poor or members of minority groups that hard work and preparation cannot cure. Barbara Jordan adversity hard-work people The arts, instead of quaking along the periphery of our policy concerns, must push boldly into the core of policy. The arts are a response to our individuality and our nature and help to shape our identity. The arts are not a frill and should not be treated as such. They have the potential to become the driving force for healing division and divisiveness. Barbara Jordan carpe-diem healing art Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us. Barbara Jordan citizens suffering ideas It is reason, and not passion, which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision. Barbara Jordan passion emotional decision We are a people in a quandary about the present. We are a people in search of our future. We are a people in search of a national community. Barbara Jordan our-future community people If youre going to play the game properly, youd better know every rule. Barbara Jordan political games play We must exchange the philosophy of excuse - what I am is beyond my control for the philosophy of responsibility. Barbara Jordan excuse responsibility philosophy The Supreme Court has always been the last bastion of the protection of our freedoms. Barbara Jordan protection court lasts If we promise as public officials, we must deliver. If we as public officials propose, we must produce. Barbara Jordan produce politics promise It is both a right and a responsibility of a democratic society to manage immigration so that it serves the national interest. Barbara Jordan democratic immigration responsibility We call ourselves public servants but I'll tell you this: we as public servants must set an example for the rest of the nation. It is hypocritical for the public official to admonish and exhort the people to uphold the common good. Barbara Jordan example sea people