It is a mistake to tell students that their classroom is a democracy- it cannot and never will be. But children need to learn how to participate in a community and to prepare themselves for democratic citizenship.

...there is a danger of churning out students who are rapid processors of information but may not necessarily be more reflective, thoughtful, and able to give sustained consideration to the information that matters most.

As soon as any man says of the affairs of the State "What does it matter to me?" the State may be given up for lost.

He was a big believer in the cause of democracy, in public participation,

Ultimately in a democracy you cannot have both participation in elected office and participation in armed militia. They are simply incompatible.

It could be a historic vote as far as participation,