New Delhi, April 19 -- "Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote." - George Jean Nathan

LiveMint's quote of the day by George Jean Nathan, a titan of American cultural criticism, is a classic indictment of political apathy. It suggests that the quality of a government is a direct reflection of the participation, or lack thereof, of its most reasonable and ethical constituents.

As West Bengal and Tamil Nadu head for Assembly elections in a few days, this quote serves as a reminder that the easiest way for "bad" leadership to thrive is for "good" people to do nothing - Democracy is a "use it or lose it" system.

The votes polled in Puducherry, Assam and Kerala Assembly elections will be counted on May 4, along with Tamil...