American politics used to be an amateur sport. But somewhere along the way, we handed over to professionals all the things people used to do for free.
Interpretation
The quote reflects a shift in American politics from grassroots involvement to professionalization.
Bob Schieffer's quote highlights a transformation in American politics, where citizens who once actively participated in political processes have relinquished their roles to professional politicians. This shift suggests that politics has become more of a specialized field rather than a communal or amateur endeavor, leading to a disconnect between politicians and the general public.
In practice
During a town hall meeting, one might reference this quote to encourage community engagement in local politics.
The Iraq war was fought by one-half of one percent of us. And unless we were part of that small group or had a relative who was, we went about our lives as usual most of the time: no draft, no new taxes, no changes. Not so for the small group who fought the war and their families.
I've had a lot of fun, and when I talk to kids in journalism schools, I say, look, I know what the journalism teachers tell you that this is a great way to perform public service and all that, but I say the main reason, if you decide what you want to do is be a reporter, the main reason you want to do it is because it's just so much fun.
Any attempts by any government to change Community legislation to its own wishes are doomed to failure following the extension of policy areas now subject to majority voting... In our opinion, this must have serious implications for the traditional view of Parliament as a legislative body sovereignty.
Democracy cannot consist solely of elections that are nearly always fictitious and managed by rich landowners and professional politicians.
Every Senator in this Chamber is partly responsible for sending 50,000 young Americans to an early grave. This Chamber reeks of blood.
It has become more and more obvious that there is one political party in America, and that is The Business Party.
No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it.
A great state is a well-blended mash of something of all the people and all of none of the people. The liquor of statecraft is distilled from the mash you got.
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