"Democracy isn't a spectator sport."
Michael Moore's quote, "Democracy isn't a spectator sport," emphasizes that active participation is essential for democracy to function effectively. It suggests that merely watching the political process unfold isn't enough; citizens must take part in it by making informed decisions, voting, and engaging in civic activities to ensure their voices are heard and their government truly represents them. In other words, a successful democracy relies on its active citizens.
"If you can't see past your nose, then enlarge it. You are not a tree."
This quote by Michael Moore encourages personal growth and expanding one's perspective beyond narrow or limited views. It suggests that if someone finds themselves stuck in their current state of understanding, they should actively seek to broaden their knowledge, experiences, or horizons, much like enlarging the field of view provided by one's nose. Essentially, the message is to not be content with a stagnant mindset and to continually strive for intellectual and emotional development to better navigate and engage with the world around us.
"We live in the Greatest Country on Earth... with the worst healthcare of any major industrialized nation. It's time for a change!"
The quote suggests that despite being one of the most powerful and prosperous countries, the United States has an underperforming healthcare system compared to other major industrialized nations. This discrepancy, according to Michael Moore, signifies a need for change in the American healthcare system.
"Capitalism, and the rich, will survive anything, including a great depression... but the poor will not."
This quote by Michael Moore highlights an unfortunate reality: during economic crises, while the wealthy and capitalist system can withstand hardship, it's often the working class, or the "poor," who suffer disproportionately. The implication is that the economic structure itself prioritizes the preservation of wealth and power over the well-being of the less fortunate. This quote underscores the need for policies and systems that ensure economic stability and protection for all citizens, particularly those at risk during times of crisis.
"The future of our planet is at stake, and the future of our children is at stake. The corporations, if they are going to continue to make a profit in a world where oil and coal are gone – because they're gonna be gone soon – the corporations are saying 'What can we do next?' Well, one thing we could do is get out of Afghanistan."
Michael Moore implies that the planet's future, as well as the future of our children, is under threat due to various environmental crises caused by resource exploitation (oil and coal). He suggests that corporations, in order to remain profitable post-fossil fuel era, are seeking alternative ventures. In this context, he uses the example of Afghanistan, suggesting that corporations might be interested in expanding their business interests there instead of addressing pressing environmental issues. This quote highlights a potential conflict between corporate profit motives and global concerns like climate change and the wellbeing of future generations.
We as Americans believe it's OK to kill people. We believe it's OK to invade a country that had nothing to do with 9/11. We think it's OK to invade a country where we think Osama Bin Laden is and he's in the other country. So we just go in and we just kill. And we have the death penalty; we sanction it.
- Michael Moore
I think that there's something in the American psyche, it's almost this kind of right or privilege, this sense of entitlement, to resolve our conflicts with violence. There's an arrogance to that concept if you think about it. To actually have to sit down and talk, to listen, to compromise, that's hard work.
- Michael Moore
I've been encouraging documentary filmmakers to use more and more humor, and they're loath to do that because they think if it's a documentary it has to be deadly serious - it has to be like medicine that you're supposed to take. And I think it's what keeps the mass audience from going to documentaries.
- Michael Moore
If the guy out in the woods with the Michigan Militia is a real estate negotiator, instead of some crackpot, and has a normal life, that's unnerving. You don't want to think it's as normal as the guy next door, hedging his lawn. It's easier to demonize or separate them off from 'us.'
- Michael Moore
If I were a capitalist I would not give my employees health insurance with no deductible, which I do, including dental, and paid pregnancy leave. That's not called capitalism, that's called being a Christian and someone who believes in democracy, so that everyone should get a fair slice of the pie.
- Michael Moore
The health insurance industry does not like to pay out claims, because they don't make money. The only way they can make a profit is if they don't pay for your operation. If they pay for your operation and your doctor's appointment and your pharmaceuticals, they don't make any money.
- Michael Moore
Back in the late '90s, I put together a humorous newsmagazine program called 'The Awful Truth' for Bravo. We helped one guy get an organ transplant whose insurance company had refused to pay. I thought, if we could save a guy's life in a 10-minute segment on cable, what could we do if we devoted a whole movie to a whole bunch of people?
- Michael Moore
Capitalism is an organized system to guarantee that greed becomes the primary force of our economic system and allows the few at the top to get very wealthy and has the rest of us riding around thinking we can be that way, too - if we just work hard enough, sell enough Tupperware and Amway products, we can get a pink Cadillac.
- Michael Moore
Here's what I don't think works: An economic system that was founded in the 16th century and another that was founded in the 19th century. I'm tired of this discussion of capitalism and socialism; we live in the 21st century; we need an economic system that has democracy as its underpinnings and an ethical code.
- Michael Moore
For my very first movie, 'Roger and Me,' I made it as part of my deal with Warner Brothers that the four people that were evicted in that film, that Warner Brothers would house - would pay their mortgage or their rent for the next two years to give them a chance to get on their feet.
- Michael Moore
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