"As federal judge Learned Hand said in 1944, 'Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women.' Neither the laws, the courts nor other related institutions can be saved without the underlying exercise of the democratic spirit by the people. Civic Self-Respect argues for civic engagement, where citizens flex the muscles of ownership of our democracy, reminding us that our elected officials work for us-not the other way around-that the public airwaves and public lands are owned by the people, and that speaking your mind to your neighbors and friends can be the start of a movement. In this small volume, Ralph Nader, whose impact on consumer protection and citizen empowerment has been greater than any other American in the last century, goes to the roots of democracy in the people and to our active roles in creating and sustaining citizen action, as workers, taxpayers, consumers, public servants and parents. In all these roles we may find our power and civic self-respect"--