What is meant in this quote?

Question

So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men.

— Voltairine de Cleyre (1886-1912)

Answer 1

That there is a price to the freedom that we enjoy and it should not be taken for granted.  That those who would try to take that away will not stop in their pursuit to enslave us all.  The key is vigilance.

Answer 2

Excellent quote. When people fail to vote or participate in the process of government, evil people will take over. Evil people will hide behind religion or any other means to get into power.

This quote serves as a warning. Such evil people are trying to take over our government right now.  

Answer 3

Freedom is never free you have to fight for it.

Answer 4

if you vote for obama, you will get an object lesson...

Answer 5

It's the same theme as this:

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.