Markson for President Quotes

On Bringing His Message All Across America
"You have certainly heard the old adage, 'a journey of a thousand miles … can be completed much more quickly in a rocket car!' That's why a sizeable percentage of the money raised by my campaign is being used to build the world's first Democracy Rocket Car. It's quite beautiful, actually, with its Saturn V engine, touch-screen voting system converted to serve as an inertial guidance system, and, of course, a hip 'Starsky and Hutch' stripe. But more important than its pleasing outward appearance is what it stands for: When you see the Democracy Rocket Car streaking across the night skies of Iowa, New Hampshire, and every other state at 2200 m.p.h., be sure your children turn their eyes skyward to see that someone's working hard to preserve our American democracy."

On Reclaiming Our Democracy
"In recent years, as the voice of the vast majority of the American people has been increasingly drowned out by powerful monied interests, the American people have said, time and again, ‘I’m as mad as hell, but you know what? I think I’m going to continue to take it!’ Well, I’m here to tell you that we don’t have to take it anymore."

On Redefining Politics
"The great congressman and failed presidential candidate Mo Udall once said that politicians think they've solved a problem once they've come up with a catchy slogan. He couldn't have been more right. More than ever, American politics is overrun with clever PR, spin, and the use of language that confuses and deceives. If we care about the future of this country, it's time to move beyond the use of 'catchy' slogans and start solving the real problems of the American people. I like to call this vision of responsive, slogan-free politics, 'ResponsiGov™'"

On The Impact of Declining Participation
"Since the election of 1960, when 63% of eligible voters cast a ballot, voter participation has dropped to an overall average that is now below 50%. In midterm elections, turnout is even lower. When voter participation is this low, it’s difficult to hold our leaders accountable or ensure that government policies truly reflect the will of all the American people. And this doesn’t even touch on the devastating impact that low voter turnout has had on the 'I Voted!' sticker industry."

On the State of American Democracy
"Even while we speak of spreading American-style freedom and democracy around the world, we continue to ignore a growing crisis in our political system here at home. Of course, when we tell the world about the virtues of democracy and freedom, we describe a utopian system where citizens are engaged, politicians responsive, elections fair, and the free press responsible and balanced. That certainly sounds more attractive than, 'Hey, how about we come in and help you build a "democracy" in which fewer than half of your citizens vote, monied interests have undue influence, politicians focus mostly on their own re-election, the free press irresponsibly uses fear and spectacle in pursuit of ratings and profit, and the government increasingly ignores the issues of concern to a majority of your population. So, whaddya say? Should we get the paperwork started? We'd sure love to see you drive home today in a brand new American-style democracy.'"

On Markson for President $5.00 "Citizens Fundraisers"
"This is a true grassroots campaign, and that's why our fundraising events always have a suggested contribution of just $5.00 per person. And that can add up: Five dollars here, five dollars there, and pretty soon you're talking about, like, twenty bucks! Best of all, I'm proud to be able to say that when you attend a Markson for President $5.00 fundraiser, and you open your wallet for democracy, you always go home with change."

On Being a Leader -- And Human
"Many say they’re waiting for a flawless, inspiring leader -- like those from some mythical past -- to lead us down the road of progress to this century's mountaintop. A charismatic, incredibly sexy leader who can focus the nation's attention on fundamental issues of voting and democracy. But my friends, despite posing in a tasteful centerfold pictorial in last month's 'Democracy Boy' magazine, I am not that leader. Because even after substantial air-brushing, I am not without flaws. I am not perfect. None of us are."

On Why 50% of Americans Don't Vote
"Does half of America set out for their polling place on Election Day only to lose their way because of bad directions from Mapquest.com? Does half of America hold some kind of all-night, 'pre-Election-Day' party that leaves them sleeping off their liquor until after the polls have closed? Or does half of America not vote because they believe their vote doesn’t matter in a system overrun with campaign money, bitter partisanship, media insanity, and no real competition? I think you’ll agree that my 'pre-Election-Day party' explanation may be the one."

On Political Campaigns
"I'm not a mathematician, but I'd like to know the answer to this bit of algebra: Do two negative ads equal one positive one? No, I don't think that they do."

On His Commitment to the Campaign
"Be assured that I have no illusions about what lies ahead: This campaign will be a long road, and carrying this message of expanded participation to all 50 states and beyond will require busy days, sleepless nights, and one hell of a good road atlas. But I’m running for president not for fun, not for amusement, and no, not because I lost a bar bet. I’m running to win. But if not to win, then I'm running for president to not lose too badly. And if not to not lose too badly, then I hope at least to cover my expenses."

On Why He's Running
"Not long ago, I did an honest assessment of my skills and abilities and asked, what can I offer to America? In this time of national crisis, of economic hardship, of increasingly bad reality television, how can I make a difference? And it became clear to me that I am uniquely qualified for only two jobs. And my friends, those two jobs are lottery winner … and President of the United States of America. But honestly, what are the chances that I could win the lottery? According to the PowerBall web site, just one in 120 million. I think you’ll agree that I stand a far better chance of being elected President of the United States of America."

On the Message of His Campaign
"My friends, this campaign is about fundamental questions of American self-government. This campaign is about restoring the voice of ALL the people by massively increasing voter participation. This campaign is about returning true competitiveness to our electoral process. And frankly, this campaign is about nothing less than preserving American democracy for our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren, our great-great grandchildren, our great-great-great grandchildren -- and yes, I’m going to say it -- our great-great-great-great grandchildren. As well as their children."

On Asking the Important Questions
"Now, there are some who say that low voter turnout doesn’t matter. That’s it’s a sign of a 'mature democracy.' That it means Americans are content with their lives and think everything in America is going pretty darn well. My friends, are you content with the state of America? Have all the great challenges been met? Have all our problems been solved? Are elections truly irrelevant? Is the voice of the people no longer important? Am I asking too many questions in a row? Perhaps I am."