Quote by Theodore Roosevelt: “The government is us; we are the government, you and I.”

This quote powerfully asserts the principle of popular sovereignty, reminding citizens that they are the ultimate source of governmental authority. It encourages active participation and responsibility, emphasizing that the state is not a separate entity but a collective expression of its people.

Delivered at the Lincoln Dinner in New York, a significant political event. Roosevelt was in the midst of his presidency, championing progressive reforms and emphasizing the democratic ideals of citizen engagement and responsibility in shaping the nation's future.

American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909.