From The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History:
“Before Tom L. Johnson became [Cleveland, OH] mayor in 1901, he declared:
‘The public utility corporations are a bunch of thieves. I ought to know. I was one of them.’

As mayor he believed that privately owned utilities were bastions of privilege that would destroy democracy if not controlled. Johnson made his most quoted declaration at one of his famous tent meetings:
‘I believe in municipal ownership of waterworks, of parks, of schools. I believe in the municipal ownership of these monopolies because if you do not own them they in turn will own you. They will rule your politics, corrupt your institutions and finally destroy your liberties.

I believe in municipal ownership of waterworks, of parks, of schools. I believe in the municipal ownership of these monopolies because if you do not own them they in turn will own you. They will rule your politics, corrupt your institutions and finally destroy your liberties.'”
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– Vote YES! for Public Power options!
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